Evaluation of respiratory variables in smelter and control workers before and during a shutdown period

Journal Article · Wed May 01 04:00:00 EDT 1985 · JOM, J. Occup. Med.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1097/00043764-198505000-00012· OSTI ID:5016705

Holness, D L; Batten, B; Broder, I; Corey, P; Mintz, S

Thirty-six smelter workers examined in this pilot study were found to have a higher prevalence of cough and dyspnea and lower baseline lung function than did 31 controls. They also experienced decreases in forced vital capacity (FVC) and forced expiratory volume in 1s (FEV1) over the workweek while the controls did not. Baseline airflow rates and change in FVC and FEV1 over the workweek varied with levels of sulfur dioxide and particulates. Twenty-three smelter workers and 21 controls were seen on a second occasion, six months into an extended shutdown. The smelter workers continued to have a higher prevalence of cough and dyspnea and lower baseline lung function than the controls. There was, however, a slight increase in lung function in both the exposed workers and the controls during the shutdown. The results suggest that smelter workers may develop both acute and chronic work-related pulmonary effects and that the chronic effects may be nonreversible.

• Research Organization: Univ. of Toronto, Ontario, Canada
• OSTI ID: 5016705
• Journal Information: JOM, J. Occup. Med.; (United States), Journal Name: JOM, J. Occup. Med.; (United States) Vol. 5; ISSN JJOMD
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

560306* -- Chemicals Metabolism & Toxicology-- Man-- (-1987)
63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
AIR POLLUTION
CHALCOGENIDES
CHRONIC EXPOSURE
DISEASES
HAZARDS
HEALTH HAZARDS
METALLURGY
OCCUPATIONAL DISEASES
OXIDES
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
PARTICLES
PARTICULATES
PERSONNEL
POLLUTION
RESPIRATION
RESPIRATORY SYSTEM DISEASES
SMELTERS
SULFUR COMPOUNDS
SULFUR DIOXIDE
SULFUR OXIDES