Epidemiologic Health Study of Workers in an Aluminum Smelter in British Columbia

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Abstract
A health survey was carried out on all white males in an aluminum smelter in British Columbia. The survey consisted of a medical-occupational questionnaire, spirometry, chest radiography, and environmental monitoring. We have compared the results of a respiratory survey in 713 workers in the office and casting department with no significant exposure to air contaminants (control workers) with those of 797 potroom workers: 495 who spent more than 50% of their working time in the potroom (high exposure) and 302 workers who spent less than 50% of their working time in the potroom (medium exposure). Potroom workers (high) had a significantly greater prevalence of cough and wheeze than did those in the control group, and they had significantly lower mean forced expiratory volume in one second and maximal midexpiratory flow rate than did those in the control group after adjustment had been made for differences in age, height, and smoking habits. Potroom workers (medium) had a slightly greater prevalence of respi...

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