The Occupational Determinants of Chronic Disabling Pulmonary Disease in Rubber Workers

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Abstract
Chronic respiratory disease is among the 3 leading causes of premature retirement due to work disability. The association of occupational exposure and smoking history as potential determinants of pulmonary disability retirement were examined. A cohort of 4302 male, hourly rubber workers actively employed at the Akron [Ohio, USA] plant of a large rubber company on Jan. 1, 1964 was identified and followed for 10 yr. During the period 1964-1973, 73 workers terminated gainful employment with a pulmonary disability retirement. Work and smoking histories for these cases and 2 age-race-sex matched control groups were ascertained. Cases spent significantly greater durations of time employed in curing preparation, curing and finishing and inspection work areas. Each of these areas involves exposures to particulate material and/or solvents. Significant risk of developing a pulmonary disability was associated with smoking and exposure to dust and fumes, generally, and talc and carbon black more specifically. Smoking and occupational exposures were found to interact in their association with pulmonary disability retirement among these rubber workers.

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