Austin Health

Title
Occupational exposure to solvents and lung function decline: A population based study.
Publication Date
2019-07
Author(s)
Alif, Sheikh M
Dharmage, Shyamali
Benke, Geza
Dennekamp, Martine
Burgess, John
Perret, Jennifer L
Lodge, Caroline
Morrison, Stephen
Johns, David Peter
Giles, Graham
Gurrin, Lyle
Thomas, Paul S
Hopper, John Llewelyn
Wood-Baker, Richard
Thompson, Bruce
Feather, Iain
Vermeulen, Roel
Kromhout, Hans
Jarvis, Debbie
Garcia Aymerich, Judith
Walters, E Haydn
Abramson, Michael J
Matheson, Melanie Claire
Subject
FEV1
chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
job exposure matrix
lung function
occupational exposure
solvents
Type of document
Journal Article
OrcId
0000-0002-0783-8848
0000-0001-7034-0615
0000-0002-1753-3896
0000-0002-7097-4586
DOI
10.1136/thoraxjnl-2018-212267
Abstract
While cross-sectional studies have shown associations between certain occupational exposures and lower levels of lung function, there was little evidence from population-based studies with repeated lung function measurements. We aimed to investigate the associations between occupational exposures and longitudinal lung function decline in the population-based Tasmanian Longitudinal Health Study. Lung function decline between ages 45 years and 50 years was assessed using data from 767 participants. Using lifetime work history calendars completed at age 45 years, exposures were assigned according to the ALOHA plus Job Exposure Matrix. Occupational exposures were defined as ever exposed and cumulative exposure -unit- years. We investigated effect modification by sex, smoking and asthma status. Compared with those without exposure, ever exposures to aromatic solvents and metals were associated with a greater decline in FEV1 (aromatic solvents 15.5 mL/year (95% CI -24.8 to 6.3); metals 11.3 mL/year (95% CI -21.9 to - 0.7)) and FVC (aromatic solvents 14.1 mL/year 95% CI -28.8 to - 0.7; metals 17.5 mL/year (95% CI -34.3 to - 0.8)). Cumulative exposure (unit years) to aromatic solvents was also associated with greater decline in FEV1 and FVC. Women had lower cumulative exposure years to aromatic solvents than men (mean (SD) 9.6 (15.5) vs 16.6 (14.6)), but greater lung function decline than men. We also found association between ever exposures to gases/fumes or mineral dust and greater decline in lung function. Exposures to aromatic solvents and metals were associated with greater lung function decline. The effect of aromatic solvents was strongest in women. Preventive strategies should be implemented to reduce these exposures in the workplace.
Link
Citation
Thorax 2019; 74(7): 650-686
Jornal Title
Thorax

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