RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Occupational exposure to solvents and lung function decline: A population based study
JF Thorax
JO Thorax
FD BMJ Publishing Group Ltd and British Thoracic Society
SP 650
OP 658
DO 10.1136/thoraxjnl-2018-212267
VO 74
IS 7
A1 Sheikh M Alif
A1 Shyamali Dharmage
A1 Geza Benke
A1 Martine Dennekamp
A1 John Burgess
A1 Jennifer L Perret
A1 Caroline Lodge
A1 Stephen Morrison
A1 David Peter Johns
A1 Graham Giles
A1 Lyle Gurrin
A1 Paul S Thomas
A1 John Llewelyn Hopper
A1 Richard Wood-Baker
A1 Bruce Thompson
A1 Iain Feather
A1 Roel Vermeulen
A1 Hans Kromhout
A1 Debbie Jarvis
A1 Judith Garcia Aymerich
A1 E Haydn Walters
A1 Michael J Abramson
A1 Melanie Claire Matheson
YR 2019
UL http://thorax.bmj.com/content/74/7/650.abstract
AB Rationale While cross-sectional studies have shown associations between certain occupational exposures and lower levels of lung function, there was little evidence from population-based studies with repeated lung function measurements.Objectives We aimed to investigate the associations between occupational exposures and longitudinal lung function decline in the population-based Tasmanian Longitudinal Health Study.Methods Lung function decline between ages 45 years and 50 years was assessed using data from 767 participants. Using lifetime work history calendars completed at age 45 years, exposures were assigned according to the ALOHA plus Job Exposure Matrix. Occupational exposures were defined as ever exposed and cumulative exposure -unit- years. We investigated effect modification by sex, smoking and asthma status.Results Compared with those without exposure, ever exposures to aromatic solvents and metals were associated with a greater decline in FEV1 (aromatic solvents 15.5 mL/year (95% CI −24.8 to 6.3); metals 11.3 mL/year (95% CI −21.9 to – 0.7)) and FVC (aromatic solvents 14.1 mL/year 95% CI −28.8 to – 0.7; metals 17.5 mL/year (95% CI –34.3 to – 0.8)). Cumulative exposure (unit years) to aromatic solvents was also associated with greater decline in FEV1 and FVC. Women had lower cumulative exposure years to aromatic solvents than men (mean (SD) 9.6 (15.5) vs 16.6 (14.6)), but greater lung function decline than men. We also found association between ever exposures to gases/fumes or mineral dust and greater decline in lung function.Conclusions Exposures to aromatic solvents and metals were associated with greater lung function decline. The effect of aromatic solvents was strongest in women. Preventive strategies should be implemented to reduce these exposures in the workplace.