Respiratory symptoms and airflow limitation in asphalt workers.
Occup Environ Med
; 61(4): 367-9, 2004 Apr.
Article
in En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-15031397
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
Asphalt workers are exposed to bitumen fume and vapour, and to exhaust from engines and passing traffic.AIMS:
To assess the occurrence of respiratory symptoms and signs of airflow limitations in a group of asphalt workers.METHODS:
All 64 asphalt workers and a reference group of 195 outdoor construction workers from the same company participated in a cross-sectional study. Spirometric tests and a questionnaire on respiratory symptoms and smoking habits were administered. Respiratory symptoms and lung function were adjusted for age and smoking.RESULTS:
The FEV1/FVC% ratio was significantly lower in the asphalt workers than in the referents. Symptoms of eye irritation, chest tightness, shortness of breath on exertion, chest wheezing, physician diagnosed asthma, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) were all significantly more prevalent among the asphalt workers.CONCLUSION:
In asphalt workers there is an increased risk of respiratory symptoms, lung function decline, and COPD compared to other construction workers.
Full text:
1
Collection:
01-internacional
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Respiration Disorders
/
Occupational Exposure
/
Hydrocarbons
/
Occupational Diseases
Type of study:
Diagnostic_studies
/
Observational_studies
/
Prevalence_studies
/
Risk_factors_studies
Limits:
Adult
/
Humans
/
Male
Language:
En
Journal:
Occup Environ Med
Journal subject:
MEDICINA OCUPACIONAL
/
SAUDE AMBIENTAL
Year:
2004
Document type:
Article
Affiliation country:
Norway