Any COPD*, n (% exposed) | Asthma only, n (% exposed) | No reported diagnosis, n (% exposed) | |
Number | 222 | 193 | 1383 |
Self-reported VGDF exposure—ever exposed | 176 (79.3) | 110 (57.0) | 617 (44.6) |
Steel industry—ever exposed | 110 (49.5) | 74 (38.3) | 499 (36.1) |
Combustion by-products—ever exposed | 84 (37.8) | 58 (30.1) | 361 (26.1) |
Inorganic dusts or fumes—ever exposed | 130 (58.6) | 74 (38.3) | 471 (34.1) |
Organic dusts—ever exposed | 60 (27.0) | 32 (16.6) | 196 (14.2) |
JEM level—not exposed† | 64 (28.8) | 92 (47.7) | 669 (48.4) |
JEM level—intermediate exposure | 75 (33.8) | 61 (31.6) | 416 (30.1) |
JEM level—high exposure | 83 (37.4) | 40 (20.7) | 298 (21.5) |
The differences among categories are statistically significant (p<0.01) across the three groups.
↵* COPD or emphysema or chronic bronchitis; may also include concomitant asthma.
↵† Non-exposed (also includes those never employed (n=8)).
COPD, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease; JEM, job exposure matrix; VGDF, vapours, gases, dusts or fumes.