engleski

Longitudinal Study of Respiratory Findings in Rubber Workers

A cross-sectional assessment of respiratory function and symptoms was performed in 1985 on 409 male rubber workers and 172 unexposed control workers. A follow-up study in 311 of the original rubber workers was performed 6 years later. Ventilatory capacity was measured by recording maximum expiratory flow-volume (MEFV) curves. At the time of the initial study, significantly higher prevalences of all chronic respiratory symptoms, except for asthma, were found among the rubber workers compared to controls. Smokers had a significantly higher prevalence of most of the chronic respiratory symptoms compared with rubber workers at both surveys. Rubber workers demonstrated significantly lower ventilatory capacity measurements compared to predicted. Ventilatory capacity measurements diminished significantly across the workshift, particularly FEF50 and FEF25. Metaprotereeeeeeeeeeeeenol inhalated at the end of the workshift significantly improved lung function in a small group of sensitive rubber workers. Annual lung function loss among both smokers and nonsmokers was in excess of predicated. Our date sugest that exposure to noxious agents in the rubber industry are associated with development of acute and chronic respiratory impairment

rubber workers ; respiratory symptoms ; lung function

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