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Chronic respiratory effects of exposure to diesel emissions in coal mines

Journal Article · · Arch. Environ. Health; (United States)
A 5-yr prospective design was employed to test the hypothesis that exposure to diesel emissions leads to chronic respiratory effects among underground coal miners. Changes in respiratory function and development of chronic respiratory symptoms were measured during a 5-yr study period (i.e., 1977 to 1982) in 280 diesel-exposed and 838 control miners from Eastern and Western US underground coal mines. Spirometry measures of respiratory function included forced expiratory volume in 1 sec (FEV/sub 1.0/), forced vital capacity (FVC), and forced expiratory flow rate at 50% of FVC (FEF/sub 50/). Chronic respiratory symptom measures, which included chronic cough, chromic phlegm, and breathlessness, were obtained by questionnaires, as were smoking status and occupational history. Based upon these data, the pattern of evidence did not support the hypothesis either in an age-adjusted comparison of diesel vs. nondiesel miners or in an internal analysis by cumulative years of diesel exposure.
Research Organization:
National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Morgantown, WV
OSTI ID:
5775137
Journal Information:
Arch. Environ. Health; (United States), Journal Name: Arch. Environ. Health; (United States) Vol. 39:6; ISSN AEHLA
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English