Olfactory function in chemical workers exposed to acrylate and methacrylate vapors
- Univ. of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia (USA)
- Rohm and Haas Co., Philadelphia, PA (USA)
An investigation of the olfactory function of 731 workers at a chemical facility which manufactures acrylates and methacrylates was undertaken using a standardized quantitative test. In a cross-section analysis of the data, no associations of chemical exposure with olfactory test scores were observed. A nested case-control study designed to evaluate the cumulative effects of exposure on olfactory function, however, revealed elevated crude exposure odds ratios of 2.0 (1.1, 3.8) for all workers and 6.0 (1.7, 21.5) for workers who never smoked cigarettes. Logistic regression analysis, adjusting for multiple confounders, revealed exposure odds ratios of 2.8 (1.1, 7.0) and 13.5 (2.1, 87.6) in these same groups, respectively, and a dose-response relationship between olfactory dysfunction and cumulative exposure scores - semi-quantitative indices of lifetime exposure to the acrylates. The data also revealed decreasing exposure odds ratios with increasing duration since last exposure to these chemicals, suggesting that the effects may be reversible.
- OSTI ID:
- 5030822
- Journal Information:
- American Journal of Public Health; (USA), Vol. 79:5; ISSN 0090-0036
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
ACRYLATES
HEALTH HAZARDS
METHACRYLATES
PATIENTS
OLFACTORY BULBS
CHEMICAL PLANTS
PERSONNEL MONITORING
QUANTITATIVE CHEMICAL ANALYSIS
BODY
BRAIN
CARBOXYLIC ACID SALTS
CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM
CHEMICAL ANALYSIS
HAZARDS
INDUSTRIAL PLANTS
MONITORING
NERVOUS SYSTEM
ORGANS
RADIATION MONITORING
560300* - Chemicals Metabolism & Toxicology