| Title | Pulmonary function abnormality and respiratory tract irritation symptoms in epichlorohydrin-exposed workers in Taiwan. | | Author(s) | Luo JC, Kuo HW, Cheng TJ, Chang MJ | | Institution | Department of Public Health, Chang Gung Medical College, Tao Yuan, Taiwan, Republic of China. luo5485@mail.cgu.edu.tw | | Source | Am J Ind Med 2003 Apr; 43(4):440-6. | | MeSH | Adult
Analysis of Variance
Cohort Studies
Epichlorohydrin
Female
Humans
Irritants
Male
Occupational Diseases
Occupational Exposure
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
Respiration Disorders
Respiratory Function Tests
Respiratory Tract Diseases
Taiwan
| | Abstract | BACKGROUND: Epichlorohydrin (ECH) is a strong irritant of the eyes, respiratory tract, and skin. The aims of this study were to examine the dose-response relationship between observed abnormal pulmonary function tests and respiratory tract irritation symptoms among epichlorohydrin-exposed workers in Taiwan.
METHODS: A total of 167 workers were randomly selected from a resin synthesis factory. Sixty-six air samples were taken to determine ECH concentration in the workplace. Demographic data, work history, smoking status, and respiratory tract irritation symptoms were gathered by a standard self-administered questionnaire. Pulmonary function tests were also performed.
RESULTS: There were 13 of 41 (31.7%) abnormal mean mid-expiratory flow (MMEF) among the high-ECH-exposed workers, 11 of 38 (29%) among the low-ECH-exposed workers, and 4 of 59 (6.8%) among non-ECH-exposed workers. There was a significant linear trend between ECH exposure and the prevalence of small airway abnormalities (P = 0.007) after adjusting for other factors. There was also a significant dose-response relationship of respiratory tract irritation symptoms (cough, phlegm, chest tightness, and dyspnea) among the ECH-exposed workers.
CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests that obstructive lung abnormalities and small airway lung damage are associated with ECH exposure. The study also suggests that exposure to very low concentrations (<0.2 ppm) causes significant higher prevalence of respiratory tract irritation symptoms. Causal inferences from the findings cannot be made from this cross-sectional study and further longitudinal studies are needed to better clarify the nature of the observed associations. | | Language | eng | | Pub Type(s) | Journal Article
| | PubMed ID | 12645100 |
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