Respiratory symptoms and conditions related to occupational exposures in machine shops

Jaakkola, Maritta S.; Suuronen, Katri; Luukkonen, Ritva; Järvelä, Merja; Tuomi, Timo; Alanko, Kristiina; Mäkelä, Erja; Jolanki, Riitta

doi:10.5271/sjweh.1299

Cited by 33 publications

(16 citation statements)

References 29 publications

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“…During metal processing, workers are exposed to aerosols that may generate airway symptoms such as coughing, rhinitis and wheezing. Furthermore, asthma, hypersensitivity pneumonitis and chronic bronchitis have been described in MWF exposed metal workers [2]–[4]. Beside airway symptoms, skin problems are not unusual and MWFs have been shown to cause occupational allergic contact dermatitis [5].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Airway Symptoms and Biological Markers in Nasal Lavage Fluid in Subjects Exposed to Metalworking Fluids

Fornander

Graff²,

Wåhlén³

et al. 2013

PLoS ONE

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BackgroundsOccurrence of airway irritation among industrial metal workers was investigated. The aims were to study the association between exposures from water-based metal working fluids (MWF) and the health outcome among the personnel, to assess potential effects on the proteome in nasal mucous membranes, and evaluate preventive actions.MethodsThe prevalence of airway symptoms related to work were examined among 271 metalworkers exposed to MWF and 24 metal workers not exposed to MWF at the same factory. At the same time, air levels of potentially harmful substances (oil mist, morpholine, monoethanolamine, formaldehyde) generated from MWF was measured. Nasal lavage fluid was collected from 13 workers and 15 controls and protein profiles were determined by a proteomic approach.ResultsAirway symptoms were reported in 39% of the workers exposed to MWF although the measured levels of MWF substances in the work place air were low. Highest prevalence was found among workers handling the MWF machines but also those working in the same hall were affected. Improvement of the ventilation to reduce MWF exposure lowered the prevalence of airway problems. Protein profiling showed significantly higher levels of S100-A9 and lower levels of SPLUNC1, cystatin SN, Ig J and β2-microglobulin among workers with airway symptoms.ConclusionsThis study confirms that upper airway symptoms among metal workers are a common problem and despite low levels of MWF-generated substances, effects on airway immune proteins are found. Further studies to clarify the role of specific MWF components in connection to airway inflammation and the identified biological markers are warranted.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Airway Symptoms and Biological Markers in Nasal Lavage Fluid in Subjects Exposed to Metalworking Fluids

Fornander

Graff²,

Wåhlén³

et al. 2013

PLoS ONE

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“…However, in spite of a high level of implementation of technical, organizational, and personal protection measures, there are still thousands of notifications of suspected cases of occupational lung and skin diseases and several hundreds of recognized cases each year. 11 It has been shown that machine workers experience increased nasal and throat symptoms, even in environments with exposure levels below the current occupational exposure limit for oil mists, 16 and although the proportion of long-term respiratory disease in metal workers is low in comparison with other professions, 17 the situation could surely be improved.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 98%

Health Inequalities According to Plant Size—Comparison of Small- and Medium-Sized Enterprises

Baumeister

Weistenhöfer²,

Drexler³

et al. 2010

Journal of Occupational &Amp; Environmental Medicine

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“…Recent Finnish studies have similar findings to this evaluation. A study that compared machine workers using mainly water-miscible MWFs to office workers from 64 Finnish companies found very low respirable aerosol concentrations (geometric mean of 0.12 mg/m 3 ) in the breathing zones of the machine workers, yet still found a significant excess of upper and lower respiratory symptoms and current asthma among the machine workers [Jaakkola et al 2009]. There was no significant difference between exposed and unexposed participants in our evaluation when were asked if they ever had asthma.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Investigation of respiratory and dermal symptoms associated with metal working fluids at an aircraft engine manufacturing facility

Meza

Chen

Hudson

2013

American J Industrial Med

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Background Each year, 1.2 million metalworkers are exposed to metalworking fluids (MWFs), which can cause dermal and respiratory disease. The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) conducted a health hazard evaluation of MWF exposures at an aircraft engine manufacturing facility. The objectives were to determine employee exposures to endotoxin and MWFs in the air, characterize symptoms experienced by employees working with MWFs, compare them to symptoms of employees unexposed to MWFs, and make recommendations for reducing exposures based on results. Methods 407 workers were categorized as MWF exposed or MWF unexposed and completed questionnaires. Estimated prevalence ratios (PR) of dermatitis, asthma, and work-related asthma (WRA) symptoms were calculated. Airborne concentrations of MWF and endotoxin were measured, and work practices observed. Results MWF exposed workers had a significantly higher prevalence of dermatitis on wrists/forearms (PR 2.59; 95% CI 1.22, 5.46), asthma symptoms (PR 1.49; 95% CI 1.05, 2.13) and WRA symptoms (PR 2.10; 95% CI 1.22, 3.30) than unexposed workers. Airborne concentrations of MWF were below the NIOSH recommended exposure limit (REL) for MWF aerosols (thoracic particulate mass). Conclusions Despite MWF exposures below the NIOSH REL, exposed workers had a higher prevalence of asthma, WRA, and dermatitis symptoms than unexposed workers. Recommendations to reduce exposure included configuring mist collectors to automatically turn on when the machine is in use, and enforcing enclosure use.

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Respiratory symptoms and conditions related to occupational exposures in machine shops

Cited by 33 publications

References 29 publications

Airway Symptoms and Biological Markers in Nasal Lavage Fluid in Subjects Exposed to Metalworking Fluids

Airway Symptoms and Biological Markers in Nasal Lavage Fluid in Subjects Exposed to Metalworking Fluids

Health Inequalities According to Plant Size—Comparison of Small- and Medium-Sized Enterprises

Investigation of respiratory and dermal symptoms associated with metal working fluids at an aircraft engine manufacturing facility

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