RESPIRATORY SURVEY OF CEDAR MILL WORKERS .1. PREVALENCE OF SYMPTOMS AND PULMONARY-FUNCTION ABNORMALITIES

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  • 1 January 1978
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 20  (5) , 323-327
Abstract
A respiratory-occupational questionnaire and spirometry were used to compare the prevalence of symptoms and pulmonary function abnormalities in 405 workers exposed to red cedar dust and 252 control workers exposed to other wood dusts. Compared with controls, the cedar workers had a significantly higher prevalence of respiratory symptoms, cough, phlegm, wheeze and breathlessness, and more rhinitis and conjunctivitis. There was a clear relationship between respiratory symptoms and cigarette smoking and evidence to suggest a synergistic effect between exposure to cedar dust and smoking. There was no difference in the lung function between cedar workers and controls. Of the workers in the control group, 65 previously worked in red cedar mills; they had a higher prevalence of respiratory symptoms than other workers in this group. Red cedar asthma was found in only 1.1% of the cedar workers. This condition usually develops in the early months of exposure, and workers who are affected tend to leave the industry. The probable incidence of red cedar asthma was estimated to be 4-5%.