[Comparative study of respiratory changes in female workers exposed to organic aerosols]

The prevalence of acute and chronic respiratory symptoms and ventilatory capacity were studied in 314 women and 119 men exposed to some organic aerosols. The prevalence of all chronic respiratory symptoms was significantly higher in exposed than in control workers. A large number of exposed workers complained of acute symptoms which develop during work shift. There were statistically significant acute reductions of all ventilatory capacity tests, particularly FEF50 and FEF25. Comparison of measured ventilatory capacity with predicted normal values indicated obstructive ventilatory capacity changes located mostly in smaller airways. Our data suggest that exposure to organic aerosols may contribute to the development of chronic obstructive lung disease.