A Prospective Study of Lung Function Among Boilermaker Construction Workers Exposed to Combustion Particulates

Details

• Personal Author:
  Christiani, David C. ; Eisen EA ; Hauser R ; Pothier L
• Description:
  BACKGROUND: Given the evidence of both acute cross-shift and short-term decrements in lung function in boilermaker construction workers following occupational exposure to combustion particulates, we sought to determine whether exposure is associated with an annual loss in lung function. METHODS: As part of an ongoing investigation, we conducted a 2-year longitudinal study of lung function among 118 boilermakers. Exposure was assessed with a work history questionnaire. Spirometry measurements were performed annually. RESULTS: We found an association between annual FEV(1) and hours worked at a gas-fired plant during the previous year, beta = - 9.8 mls/100 hours worked (95% CI: - 16.0, - 3.5) after adjustment for age, baseline FEV(1) and cigarette smoking status. The adjusted association between FEV(1) and "ever" worked at a gas-fired plant was - 99.7 mls (95% CI: - 154.8, - 44.5). There was also evidence of a negative association between FEV(1) and "ever" worked and hours worked at oil and coal-fired plants. CONCLUSIONS: These data suggest an association between annual lung function loss and working at gas, coal and oil-fired plants. Further follow-up of this cohort of boilermakers is in progress. [Description provided by NIOSH]
• Subjects:
  Asthma Construction Industry Environmental Exposure Lung Occupational Health Respiratory Function Tests Respiratory System Respiratory Tract Diseases Safety Surveys And Questionnaires
• Keywords:
  Airway Obstruction Author Keywords: Boilermakers Bronchial Asthma Combustion Particulates Construction Industry Construction Workers Exposure Levels Lung Function Natural Gas Occupational Health Questionnaires Respiratory Diseases Respiratory System Disorders Spirometry Welding

  More +
• ISSN:
  0271-3586
• Document Type:
  Text
• Funding:
  Grant
• Genre:
  Journal Article
• Place as Subject:
  Massachusetts ; OSHA Region 1 ; OSHA Region 3 ; West Virginia
• CIO:
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
• Division:
  HELD - Health Effects Laboratory Division
• Topic:
  Workplace Safety & Health
• Location:
  North America
• Pages in Document:
  454-462
• Volume:
  39
• Issue:
  5
• NIOSHTIC Number:
  nn:20024794
• Citation:
  Am J Ind Med 2001 May; 39(5):454-462
• Contact Point Address:
  Russ Hauser, MD, ScD, MPH, Harvard School of Public Health, Occupational Health Program, 665 Huntington Ave, Building I, Room 1405, Boston, MA
• Email:
  rhauser@hohp.harvard.edu
• Federal Fiscal Year:
  2001
• Performing Organization:
  Harvard University, Boston, MA
• Peer Reviewed:
  True
• Start Date:
  19960930
• Source Full Name:
  American Journal of Industrial Medicine
• End Date:
  20000929
• Collection(s):
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
• Main Document Checksum:
  urn:sha-512:e4e7b953467461033b730a480b226fb3cd92da30f2dd6a4f3a3fccff5c943c72582b6bd565b7ae0d8d01fd0a649ce8216bf8b40f9210273ab4640c50db83c229
• Download URL:
  https://stacks.cdc.gov/view/cdc/196414/cdc_196414_DS1.pdf
• File Type:
  [PDF - 105.41 KB ]