The respiratory health of 726 workers in a rubber processing factory has been
investigated. The values of the forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory
volume in 1 s (FEV(1)) and the ratio of FEV(1)/FVC in workers were inversely
related to the total suspended particulate matter (TSP) and benzo(a)pyrene
present in the workplace air. Statistically significant decrements in ventilatory
function occurred following prolonged exposure as assessed by the duration of
working in the plant. When the different sections of the factory were considered,
workers in the compounding section were most affected, which was associated
with the highest exposures to TSP and benzo(a)pyrene. On chest X-ray,
16% of the workers from the compounding section exhibited radiographic
abnormalities. Of 7 possible factors thought likely to be related to the effects
on pulmonary function, only TSP and the concentration of benzo(a)pyrene in
the respirable fraction of particulates resulted in a statistically significant association
in a multiple regression analysis.
The relationship between the airway resistance (R(aw)) and airborne concentration
of pollutants (PAHs, sulphates and nitrates) has been determined in
workers from various locations in a rubber factory. The highest R(aw) values
were detected in workers from the compounding unit, where the constituents
of tyres were mixed. These workers also had the most frequent and severe
respiratory symptoms, and their chest X-ray records showed multiple opacities.
Workers with more than 6 years’ experience in the plant exhibit increased
R(aw) values relative to those with less experience. The highest concentrations of
sulphates and nitrates in the respirable fraction also occurred in the compounding
unit.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.