Epidemiological-environmental study of diesel bus garage workers: acute effects of NO/sub 2/ and respirable particulate on the respiratory system

Journal Article · Sun Feb 01 00:00:00 EST 1987 · Environ. Res.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/S0013-9351(87)80022-1· OSTI ID:6934946

Gamble, J; Jones, W; Minshall, S

Personal samples of nitrogen dioxide (NO/sub 2/) and respirable particulate (RP) were collected over the shift on 232 workers in four diesel bus garages. Response was assessed by an acute respiratory questionnaire and before and after shift spirometry. Measures of exposure to NO/sub 2/ and RP were associated with work-related symptoms of cough; itching, burning, or watering eyes; difficult or labored breathing; chest tightness; and wheeze. The prevalence of burning eyes, headaches, difficult or labored breathing, nausea, and wheeze experienced at work were higher in the diesel bus garage workers than in a comparison population of battery workers, while the prevalence of headaches was reduced. Mean reductions in forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in 1 sec (FEV1), peak flow, and flows at 50 and 75% of FVC were not obviously different from zero. There was no detectable association of exposure to NO/sub 2/ or respirable particulate and acute reductions in pulmonary function. Workers who often had respiratory work-related symptoms generally had a slightly greater mean acute reduction in FEV1 and FEF50 than did those who did not have these symptoms, but these differences were not statistically significant.

• Research Organization: National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Morgantown, WV
• OSTI ID: 6934946
• Journal Information: Environ. Res.; (United States), Vol. 1
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
NITROGEN DIOXIDE
HEALTH HAZARDS
PARTICULATES
BUSES
DIESEL ENGINES
DYNAMIC FUNCTION STUDIES
EPIDEMIOLOGY
EYES
LUNGS
OCCUPATIONAL EXPOSURE
PERSONNEL
RESPIRATORY SYSTEM
BODY
BODY AREAS
CHALCOGENIDES
ENGINES
FACE
HAZARDS
HEAD
HEAT ENGINES
INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINES
NITROGEN COMPOUNDS
NITROGEN OXIDES
ORGANS
OXIDES
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
PARTICLES
SENSE ORGANS
TRANSPORTATION SYSTEMS
VEHICLES
560300* - Chemicals Metabolism & Toxicology