Pulmonary function defects in nonsmoking vinyl chloride workers

Journal Article · Sun Jun 01 04:00:00 EDT 1975 · Environ. Health Perspect.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1289/ehp.7511247· OSTI ID:7236683

Miller, A

Pulmonary function was assessed by spirometry and maximum expiratory flow volume curves in 348 workers exposed to vinyl chloride fumes and poly(vinyl chloride) dust in a polymerization plant to determine whether a contaminated occupational environment is associated with an increased risk of respiratory impairment. Data were analyzed for smoking, duration of exposure, and age. The high prevalence of impaired flow (57.5 percent) could not be attributed to smoking. Prevalence in nonsmokers was 36.4 percent when exposure was less than 10 yr, 42 percent when exposure was between 10 and 20 yr, and 80 percent when exposure exceeded 20 yr. The last is virtually the same rate as for smokers exposed more than 20 yr. The same trend is shown with increasing age. When smokers and nonsmokers older than 40 yr are compared, prevalence rates of air flow impairment are not statistically different.

• OSTI ID: 7236683
• Journal Information: Environ. Health Perspect.; (United States), Journal Name: Environ. Health Perspect.; (United States) Vol. 11; ISSN EVHPA
• 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.
AEROSOLS
AGE DEPENDENCE
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
CHLORINATED ALIPHATIC HYDROCARBONS
CHRONIC INTAKE
COLLOIDS
DISEASES
DISPERSIONS
DUSTS
HALOGENATED ALIPHATIC HYDROCARBONS
HAZARDS
HEALTH HAZARDS
INDUSTRY
INTAKE
MONOMERS
ORGANIC CHLORINE COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC HALOGEN COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC POLYMERS
PETROLEUM INDUSTRY
POLYMERIZATION
POLYMERS
POLYVINYLS
PVC
RESIDUES
RESPIRATORY SYSTEM DISEASES
SMOKES
SOLS
TOBACCO SMOKES
VINYL MONOMERS