THE EFFECT OF OCCUPATIONAL EXPOSURE ON PULMONARY-FUNCTION - A LONGITUDINAL EVALUATION OF FIRE FIGHTERS AND NON-FIRE FIGHTERS

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Abstract
The chronic effect of fire fighting on pulmonary function was studied by longitudinal analysis of 168 fire fighters and 1474 nonfire fighters enrolled in a study of normal aging. Spirometric measurements (FVC [forced vital capacity]) and FEV [forced expiratory volume in 1 s] were obtained on all subjects over a 5 yr intake period (1963-1968) and these subjects were reexamined 5 yr later (1968-1973). Questionnaire information about smoking habits, respiratory symptoms and illness was also obtained. Fire fighters had a greater loss of pulmonary function (FVC and FEV1) than nonfire fighters (P = 0.007 and P = 0.054). This occupational effect could not be explained by differences in age, height, smoking status or initial level of pulmoanry function between the 2 occupational groups. Although respiratory symptoms were greatest among current cigarette smokers, they were not significantly different between either occupational group. Fire fighters reported more symptoms when smoking was controlled for. These results confirmed earlier reports of a chronic effect of fire fighting on pulmonary function and suggested an association of this occupation with increased respiratory symptoms and disease independent of cigarette smoke.