Ventricular ectopic beats in boilermaker construction workers exposed to metal rich fine particles

Details

• Personal Author:
  Cavallari JM ; Christiani D ; Coull B ; Eisen E ; Mittleman M
• Description:
  Background and aims: Epidemiologic and toxicologic studies suggest a link between metal-rich particle exposures and cardiovascular autonomic responses such as changes in heart rate variability, yet the occurrence of cardiac arrhythmias, has not been investigated. We sought to investigate the exposureresponse relationship between ventricular ectopic beats (VEBs) and metal-rich particulate matter with an aerodynamic diameter >2.5 um (PM2.5) among boilermaker construction workers exposed to welding fumes. Methods: Using a panel study, we monitored workers by ambulatory electrocardiogram (ECG) over workdays during and following welding fume exposures and on non-workdays. ECGs were analyzed and the presence of VEBs (>1 VEB over 1 hour period) was recorded. Workers were also simultaneously and continuously monitored for personal PM2.5 exposures. Using mixed effects models to account for the repeated measures data, we estimated the exposure-response relationship between hourly VEB and PM2.5 exposures after adjusting for smoking status, high blood pressure, season and time of day. Results: The 72 male participants were monitored for an average of 41 hours (Range: 4 -163 hours). The mean (SD) hourly PM2.5 exposure was 0.27 (0.75) mg/m3 during all periods and 0.80 (1.16) mg/m3 while welding. There were 670 hours with one or more VEBs over the 2961 monitored person-hours. As compared to when welding did not occur, there was an increased odds of one or more hourly VEB while welding (OR: 1.61, 95% CI: 0.74, 3.51). When exposure was categorized using tertiles into low (0 to 0.02 mg/m3), medium (0.02 to 0.10 mg/m3) and high (0.10 to 13.50 mg/m3), there was an increased odds of VEB in the medium (OR 1.80; 95% CI: 0.78, 4.13) and high (OR 3.81; 95% CI: 1.56, 9.29) exposure categories, relative to the low exposure category. Discussion and conclusions: PM2.5 exposure was associated with VEBs in workers exposed to welding fume. The role of workday exposure to metal-rich PM2.5 on cardiovascular response warrants further investigation. [Description provided by NIOSH]
• Subjects:
  Air Pollutants, Occupational Cardiovascular Diseases Cardiovascular System Construction Industry Electrocardiography Environmental Exposure Epidemiology Men Metals Occupational Health Particulate Matter Risk Assessment Risk Factors Safety Toxicology Welding

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• Keywords:
  Cardiac Function Cardiovascular System Disorders Construction Workers Exposure Levels Fumes Heart Heart Rate Humans Metal Compounds Metallic Compounds Metal Workers Models Particulates Risk Factors Statistical Analysis Welders Welding Fumes

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• ISSN:
  1351-0711
• Document Type:
  Text
• Funding:
  Grant
• Genre:
  Abstract or Summary
• Place as Subject:
  Massachusetts ; OSHA Region 1
• CIO:
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
• Topic:
  Workplace Safety & Health
• Location:
  North America
• Volume:
  65
• Issue:
  9
• NIOSHTIC Number:
  nn:20048342
• Citation:
  Occup Environ Med 2008 Sep; 65(9)(Suppl):123 Mo-O-31
• Federal Fiscal Year:
  2008
• Performing Organization:
  Harvard School of Public Health
• Peer Reviewed:
  False
• Start Date:
  20050701
• Source Full Name:
  Occupational and Environmental Medicine. EPICOH 2008
• Supplement:
  Suppl
• End Date:
  20280630
• Collection(s):
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
• Main Document Checksum:
  urn:sha-512:42442d123b9a9c1809dc59071d04a1962ead8e3f753cf874a49cd05e7b96c9d91a3ce809250b98c14dbbef98e2116810df5491c926fea55fc20c2a6be658d57a
• Download URL:
  https://stacks.cdc.gov/view/cdc/203111/cdc_203111_DS1.pdf
• File Type:
  [PDF - 45.36 KB ]