Epidemiological study of respiratory disease in workers exposed to polyvinylchloride dust.

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
Respiratory health of workers exposed to polyvinylchloride (PVC) dust was investigated in 818 men sampled from the work force of a factory manufacturing PVC. In a cross-sectional survey, lung function and prevalences of respiratory symptoms and chest radiographic abnormalities were compared with estimates of individual PVC dust exposures based on detailed occupational histories and current measurements of respirable PVC dust. Complaints of slight exertional dyspnea were associated with PVC dust exposure, though age and smoking effects were much stronger. Forced expired volume in 1 sec. (FEV1) and forced vital capacity (FVC) were inversely related to dust exposure after age, height and smoking effects were taken into account. This effect was seen principally in cigarette smokers and there was suggestive evidence that PVC dust exposure and cigarette smoking interacted in reduction of FEV1 and FVC. Gas transfer factor was not related to dust exposure. Chest radiographs were performed. One reader recorded a low prevalance of small rounded opacities not related to age or dust exposure. Another reader recorded a higher prevalence of small rounded opacities category 0/1 or more related to age but not to dust exposure. The 3rd reader recorded the highest prevalence of small rounded opacities (though none greater than category 1/1) and these were independently related to age and PVC dust exposure, indicating an effect of PVC dust on appearances of chest radiograph. These appearances were so slight, that only the higher sensitivity of this reader in the interpretation of profusion of small rounded opacities enabled detection of this effect of PVC dust. Exposure to PVC dust was associated with some deterioration of lung function, slight abnormalities of chest radiograph and complaints of slight dyspnea. Mean decline in FEV1 associated with average dust exposure was small, though some men with higher dust exposures suffered clinically important loss of lung function as a result of their occupation.