Pulmonary function abnormality and respiratory tract irritation symptoms in epichlorohydrin-exposed workers in Taiwan
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...
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Published in | American journal of industrial medicine Vol. 43; no. 4; pp. 440 - 446 |
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Main Authors | , , , |
Format | Journal Article |
Language | English |
Published |
New York
Wiley Subscription Services, Inc., A Wiley Company
01.04.2003
Wiley-Liss |
Subjects | |
Online Access | Get full text |
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Summary: | 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. Am. J. Ind. Med. 43:440–446, 2003. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc. |
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Bibliography: | istex:73437D20CA75AC6B978596F17AEFF26C404C7D12 Chang Gung Medical Center - No. NSC 85-2331-B-182-106 National Science Council in Taiwan - No. NSC86-2621-B182-002-Z; No. NSC87-2621-B182-002-Z ArticleID:AJIM10177 ark:/67375/WNG-V6ZXCQFQ-F ObjectType-Article-2 SourceType-Scholarly Journals-1 ObjectType-Feature-1 content type line 23 |
ISSN: | 0271-3586 1097-0274 |
DOI: | 10.1002/ajim.10177 |