Spectrum of longitudinal lung abnormalities in microwave popcorn workers

Details

• Personal Author:
  Bailey, Rachel L. ; Cox-Ganser, Jean M. ; Fedan, Kathleen B. ; Kreiss, Kathleen ; Lynch DA ; White, Sandra K.
• Description:
  Introduction: In 2000, NIOSH investigated a microwave-popcorn plant that had eight former workers diagnosed with obliterative bronchiolitis. By November 2011, the cohort of current and former workers tested by NIOSH between 2000-2003 had more than 4-fold excess of mortality attributed to "other-COPD," including two sentinel cases. Methods: To explore long-term respiratory morbidity of those with abnormal spirometry in 2000-2003, we conducted a questionnaire, spirometry, and HRCT in 2014. We compared these to the first abnormal spirometry test of workers tested in 2000-2003 in up-to-eight cross-sectional studies of current and former workers. We classified severity grade with percent-predicted FEV1 by the American Thoracic Society criteria. Results: Fifty-two of 121 participants with one or more abnormal 2000-2003 spirometry measurements participated. Twenty-three of 52 had obstructive abnormalities on their first abnormal test; 11 had mixed abnormalities, and 18 had restrictive abnormalities. In 2014, 30 of 52 had abnormal spirometry (11 obstructive, 12 mixed, seven restrictive); 15 had normal spirometry, and seven participants did not perform spirometry due to contraindications. Of 45 tested in 2014, 13 had the same severity, 13 worsened, and 19 improved. Of 23 with prior obstructive spirometric abnormalities in 2000-2003, nine remained obstructive in 2014; three developed mixed spirometric abnormalities; eight returned to normal, and three were not tested. Of 20 of 23 tested in 2014, four had the same severity grade, seven worsened, and nine improved. Of 11 participants with prior mixed spirometric abnormality in 2000-2003, eight remained mixed; one had obstruction; another had restricted spirometry, and one was not tested. Of 10 of 11 tested in 2014, four had the same severity grade, three worsened, and three improved. Of 18 with prior restrictive spirometric abnormalities in 2000-2003, six remained restricted; one had obstruction; one had mixed, seven became normal, and three were not tested. Of 15 tested in 2014, the severity grade of five remained the same, three worsened, and seven improved. In 2014, 51 of 51 participants reported one or more lower respiratory symptoms, and 43 of 52 had CT evidence of airways disease, including five of seven with restrictive abnormalities and 11 of 15 with normal spirometry. Conclusions: Burden of respiratory disease remained high. HRCT indicated airways disease in most of those with obstructed, restricted, and normal spirometry. [Description provided by NIOSH]
• Subjects:
  Lung Lung Diseases Men Morbidity Occupational Health Respiratory Function Tests Respiratory System Respiratory Tract Diseases Safety Women Workplace

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• Keywords:
  Bronchiolitis Humans Lung Disorders Lung Function Lung Irritants Morbidity Rates Pulmonary Function Pulmonary System Pulmonary System Disorders Respiratory Diseases Respiratory System Disorders Spirometry Work Environment Workers

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• ISSN:
  1073-449X
• Document Type:
  Text
• Genre:
  Abstract or Summary
• Place as Subject:
  Colorado ; OSHA Region 3 ; OSHA Region 8 ; West Virginia
• CIO:
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
• Division:
  RHD - Respiratory Health Division
• Topic:
  Workplace Safety & Health
• Location:
  North America
• Volume:
  193
• NIOSHTIC Number:
  nn:20048494
• Citation:
  Am J Respir Crit Care Med 2016 May; 193(Abstract Issue):A2994
• Federal Fiscal Year:
  2016
• NORA Priority Area:
  Manufacturing
• Peer Reviewed:
  False
• Source Full Name:
  American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine
• Supplement:
  Abstract Issue
• Collection(s):
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
• Main Document Checksum:
  urn:sha-512:320e1eccc447b3424cbca6a7726874194a4f317feba5fc81b3deac1d1b9168b95e098f0a072d737432b9f708dea5d0d36c17ebb5993cabca08212a13a08bfe02
• Download URL:
  https://stacks.cdc.gov/view/cdc/203240/cdc_203240_DS1.pdf
• File Type:
  [PDF - 19.62 KB ]