Chest Symptoms in Chimney Sweeps and Postmen—A Comparative Survey

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Abstract
Hansen E S (Institute of Community Health, University of Odense, Denmark). Chest symptoms in chimney sweeps and postmen—a comparative survey. International Journal of Epidemiology 1990, 19: 339–342. The purpose of this survey was to study the association between a number of chronic diseases and occupational exposure to soot and smoke. The problem was illustrated by comparing chimney sweeps and postmen with regard to self-reported occurrence of symptoms. Data were obtained by means of a postal questionnaire. Potential confounding was controlled by matching and stratified analysis. Compared to postmen, the chimney sweeps experienced a significantly increased risk of long-term coughing with expectorate (Prevalence Rate Ratio (PRR) = 1.74), dyspnoea from fast walking (PRR = 1.46), dyspnoea from ordinary walking (PRR = 1.79), dyspnoea when dressing (PRR = 2.29) and substernal oppression from exposure to cold or physical strain (PRR = 1.41). It seems likely that the chimney sweep's inhalation of soot particles and locally irritating flue gases may have contributed to the increased occurrence of chest symptoms in this occupational group.