Lung function in retired coke oven plant workers.

Chau, Nearkasèn; Bertrand, J. P.; Guenzi, M; Mayer, Lucienne; Téculescu, D; Mur, J. M.; Patris, A.; Moulin, J. J.; Pham, Q T

doi:10.1136/oem.49.5.316

Cited by 6 publications

(8 citation statements)

References 26 publications

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“…1 2 While lung function of coke oven workers has been investigated in several cross-sectional studies, [2][3][4][5] we have found no reported longitudinal studies. A health surveillance system for coke oven workers started in an Australian steelworks in October 1978 and was modified in July 1990.…”

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confidence: 79%

Lung function changes in coke oven workers during 12 years of follow up

Griffiths²,

Kreis³

et al. 2004

Occup Environ Med

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Aims: To investigate the effect of exposure to coke oven emissions on the lung function of coke oven workers. Methods: The study population, followed from 1978 and 1990, was 580 male workers with at least two sets of lung function measurements (FVC, FEV 1 , FEV 1 /FVC, and FEF 25-75% ). An annual rate of change (time slope) for age and height adjusted lung function index was estimated for each subject. This ''time slope'' was then treated as the response variable in a weighted multiple regression analysis with selected predictors. Results: For all 580 subjects, each year of working in the ''operation'' group (the most exposed) was found to increase the FVC decline by around 0.7 ml/year (95% CI 0.1 to 1.3 ml/year). After the exclusion of 111 subjects without detailed work history, the above finding was confirmed and each year of exposure in ''operation'' was also found to increase the FEV 1 decline by around 0.8 ml/year (95% CI 0.1 to 1.4 ml/ year). Conclusions: These findings are consistent with the results of previous cross-sectional studies. Work duration in the most exposed position in the coke ovens was associated with increased annual decline for FVC and FEV 1 . The estimated effect of one year of work exposure in ''operation'' is equivalent, in terms of the reduction in lung function, to an estimated 2.1 pack-years of smoking for FVC and 1.2 pack-years of smoking for FEV 1 .

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confidence: 79%

Lung function changes in coke oven workers during 12 years of follow up

Griffiths²,

Kreis³

et al. 2004

Occup Environ Med

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“…Selection out of a workforce because of respiratory complaints, found in several groups working in dusty environments, will tend to weaken any relationship between BHR and occupational exposure (duration at work). CHAU et al [28] did not find any adverse effect of occupational exposure on ventilatory function in retired coke-oven plant workers from Lorraine. The functional values were however mostly lower than predicted values and the most reduced index was the mean expiratory flow from 25-75% of FVC.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Bronchial responsiveness in active steelworkers

et al. 1998

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Coke-oven workers are exposed to dust and irritant gases. Therefore they are at risk of developing lung diseases including chronic bronchitis. Nonspecific bronchial hyperresponsiveness (BHR) has been advocated as a potential risk factor predisposing to the development of chronic bronchitis. In a previous study, we showed that prevalence of BHR was higher in retired coke-oven workers than in retired blast furnace workers. The present study was carried out to determine the prevalence of BHR in active steelworkers. Thus, 137 coke-oven workers and 150 blast furnace workers underwent clinical examination, a standardized questionnaire for the study of respiratory symptoms, pulmonary function testing and methacholine aerosol challenge. The study demonstrates a higher prevalence and degree of BHR [provocative concentration of methacholine causing a 20% fall in forced expiratory volume in one second (PC20) < or = 8 mg x mL(-1)] in coke-oven workers than in blast furnace workers (31.4 versus 6.7%; p<0.001). Moreover, the frequency of respiratory symptoms and basal bronchial obstruction were greater among coke-oven workers with BHR in nonresponders. The basal maximum expiratory flow from 25-75% of forced vital capacity and the respiratory symptoms were correlated with bronchial responsiveness. The lack of correlation observed between BHR and the intensity of smoking or years spent in coke-oven environment may be explained by the high proportion of smokers, the worker turnover in the steel plant, and the "healthy worker effect". In conclusion, the higher prevalence and degree of bronchial hyperresponsiveness in coke-oven workers suggests that coke-oven pollutants are more intense irritants than those that escape from blast furnaces.

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“…12 13 Chau et al investigated 354 retired male coke oven workers. 11 They found no effect of exposure to coke oven emissions on FVC, nor on other lung function indices (FEV 1 , FEV 1 /FVC, and FEF 25-75% ). They attributed the lack of association to bias of participants, healthy worker effect, and the exclusion of deceased subjects.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 90%

“…[5][6][7][8][9] Fewer studies have concentrated on lung function of coke oven workers. [10][11][12][13] Some investigations have reported lower lung function and higher prevalence of bronchitis. 10 12 13 A lung function surveillance system has operated from 18 October 1978 at the recovery coke ovens of a steelworks.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Cross sectional study on lung function of coke oven workers: a lung function surveillance system from 1978 to 1990

Kreis

Griffiths³

et al. 2002

Occup Environ Med

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Aims: To determine the association between lung function of coke oven workers and exposure to coke oven emissions. Methods: Lung function data and detailed work histories for workers in recovery coke ovens of a steelworks were extracted from a lung function surveillance system. Multiple regressions were employed to determine significant predictors for lung function indices. The first sets of lung function tests for 613 new starters were pooled to assess the selection bias. The last sets of lung function tests for 834 subjects with one or more year of coke oven history were pooled to assess determinants of lung function. Results: Selection bias associated with the recruitment process was not observed among the exposure groups. For subjects with a history of one or more years of coke oven work, each year of working in the most exposed "operation" position was associated with reductions in FEV 1 of around 9 ml (p = 0.006, 95% CI: 3 ml to 16 ml) and in FVC of around 12 ml (p = 0.002, 95% CI: 4 ml to 19 ml). Negative effects of smoking on lung function were also observed. Conclusions: Exposure to coke oven emissions was found to be associated with lower FEV 1 and FVC. Effects of work exposure on lung function are similar to those found in other studies.

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Lung function in retired coke oven plant workers.

Cited by 6 publications

References 26 publications

Lung function changes in coke oven workers during 12 years of follow up

Lung function changes in coke oven workers during 12 years of follow up

Bronchial responsiveness in active steelworkers

Cross sectional study on lung function of coke oven workers: a lung function surveillance system from 1978 to 1990

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