COMPARISON OF RESPIRATORY VARIABLES IN GRAIN ELEVATOR WORKERS AND CIVIC OUTSIDE WORKERS OF THUNDER-BAY, CANADA

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Abstract
Respiratory variables in 441 grain elevator workers and 180 civic outside laborers in Thunder Bay, Canada, were compared. The grain handlers had a lower frequency of positive skin reactions to pollens and molds and a family history of asthma, which suggests that they may be self-selected for a decreased tendency to develop allergic respiratory disease. There was a higher frequency of cough and rales and a small decrease in forced vital capacity and forced expiratory volume in 1 s among the grain handlers, as compared to the civic workers matched for smoking. These differences between grain and nongrain workers were small in comparison to those between smokers and nonsmokers. There was no clear indication of a worsening of respiratory functions that could be attributed specifically to duration of employment as a grain elevator worker.

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