Short communication, Note

Respiratory symptoms and ventilatory capacity in wool textile workers

Eugenija Žuškin ; Škola narodnog zdravlja »Andrija Štampar« Medicinskog fakulteta Sveučilišta u Zagrebu, Zagreb, Hrvatska
Jadranka Mustajbegović ; Škola narodnog zdravlja »Andrija Štampar« Medicinskog fakulteta Sveučilišta u Zagrebu, Zagreb, Hrvatska
Jasminka Godnić-Cvar ; Institut za medicinska istraživanja i medicinu rada, Zagreb, Hrvatska
Ana Šimunović-Šublin ; Privatna oirdinacija medicine rada s bikemijskim laboratorijem, Zabok, Hrvatska
Božica Kanceljak-Macan ; Institut za medicinska istraživanja i medicinu rada, Zagreb, Hrvatska
Zdenko Sonicki ; Škola narodnog zdravlja »Andrija Štampar« Medicinskog fakulteta Sveučilišta u Zagrebu, Zagreb, Hrvatska

Abstract

Subjects in the study were 158 female wool textile workers and 87 control non-exposed workers. Respiratory symptoms were assessed by means of a questionnaire. Ventilatory capacity was measured in wool workers by recording maximum expiratory flow-volume (MEFV) curves on monday before and after the work shift Forced vital capacity (FVC), one-second forced expiratory volume (FEV,) and now rates at 50% and the last 25% of the vital capacity (FEF50, FEF25) were measured on MEFV curves. Significantly higher prevalences or all chronic respiratory symptoms were recorded in exposed than in control workers (P<0.01 ). Exposure to wool dust caused signficant across shift reductions of ventilatory capacity varying from 2.0 to 9.1 %. Those reductions were similar in textile workers exposed to wool for more than 10 years showed similar across shift reductions of ventilalory capacity tests as those with shorter exposure. Smokers and non-smokers had similar acute and chronic lung function changes. In a larger number of wool workers FEF50 and FEF25 were below 70% of predicted normal values. Bronchoprovocation testing with wool dust extract did not demonstrate correlation with respiratoy impairment. Our data suggest that dust exposure in wool textile mills may be associated with the development of chronic respiratory symptoms and impaired lung function

Keywords

bronchoprovocation tests; chronic respiratory symptoms; exposure to wool dust; occupational exposure; ventilatory capacity; working environment

Hrčak ID:

145320

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/145320

Publication date:

28.1.1996.

Article data in other languages: croatian

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