Epidemiologic investigation of respiratory morbidity at a nylon flock plant

Washko, Rita; Day, Brian J.; Parker, John E.; Castellan, Robert M.; Kreiss, Kathleen

doi:10.1002/1097-0274(200012)38:6<628::aid-ajim3>3.0.co;2-u

Cited by 35 publications

(32 citation statements)

References 17 publications

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“…The first case of polyethylene flock-associated ILD was reported by BARROSO et al [4] in a woman who presented with a 12 months history of dyspnoea on effort and dry cough after a 7-year period of occupational exposure to rotary cut polyethylene [4]. In a cross-sectional study carried out by the US National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health, a high frequency of respiratory and systemic symptoms was reported in nylon flocking workers, with the symptom prevalence being related to the number of days worked per week [6]. In the present study, the prevalence of reported respiratory symptoms did not differ statistically between the polypropylene flocking workers and controls.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 89%

“…In general, these were symptomatic patients and further clinical investigation into them led to a diagnosis of ILD [1][2][3][4]6]. The first case of polyethylene flock-associated ILD was reported by BARROSO et al [4] in a woman who presented with a 12 months history of dyspnoea on effort and dry cough after a 7-year period of occupational exposure to rotary cut polyethylene [4].…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 88%

“…In addition, polypropylene flocking workers also reported improvement when away from work at a higher rate than control workers (26% versus 13%). The findings of the current authors are partly consistent with the epidemiological study of the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health investigators [6].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The current authors developed a detailed questionnaire by modifying a previous questionnaire from the literature [6,14]. This questionnaire included data on demographic factors, tobacco use, medication use, and respiratory symptoms (dyspnoea, cough, phlegm, wheezing or chest tightness).…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Although, the exact aetiological agent for flock worker's lung is unknown, studies have suggested that aerosolised flock may contain respirable-sized particles that may lead to inflammatory reactions in the lung [6][7][8][9].…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

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The respiratory effects of occupational polypropylene flock exposure

Atış

Tutluoğlu²,

Levent³

et al. 2005

European Respiratory Journal

115

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The present study evaluated the possible effects of exposure to polypropylene flock on respiratory health and serum cytokines in a cross-sectional study of workers from a plant in Turkey.A total of 50 polypropylene flocking workers were compared to a control group of 45 subjects. All subjects filled out a respiratory questionnaire and underwent a physical examination, a chest radiograph and pulmonary function testing, including single breath carbon monoxide diffusing capacity (DL,CO). Serum interleukin-8 (IL-8) and tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-a) were measured. Additionally, high resolution computed tomography (HRCT) of the chest was performed in 10 exposed workers with low DL,CO.Work-related respiratory symptoms were reported in 26% of the exposed subjects and in 13.3% of the controls. Logistic regression analysis showed that the risk of respiratory symptoms increased 3.6 fold in polypropylene flocking workers when compared to controls. Parameters of the study group, including per cent predicted: forced vital capacity, forced expiratory volume in one second, forced mid-expiratory flow 25-75% and DL,CO, were significantly lower than in controls. Multivariate analyses showed that being a polypropylene flocking worker was a predictive factor for impairment of pulmonary function. Serum IL-8 and TNF-a levels were increased in the study group compared with the controls. HRCT revealed peribronchial thickening and diffuse ground glass attenuation in some subjects.The present study suggests the presence of subtle or the beginning of interstitial lung disease in these polypropylene flocking workers.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 89%