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Lung function changes in workers exposed to cobalt compounds: a 13-year follow-up.
Violaine Verougstraete1, Alex Mallants, Jean-Pierre Buchet
1Industrial Toxicology and Occupational Medicine Unit, School of Public Health, Université catholique de Louvain, Brussels, Belgium. Violaine.Verougstraete@toxi.ucl.ac.be
Summary
Cobalt exposure, particularly when combined with smoking, can lead to a decline in lung function (FEV1) over time in plant workers. Reducing cobalt exposure and encouraging smoking cessation are recommended to protect worker respiratory health.
Area of Science:
- Occupational Health
- Pulmonary Medicine
- Toxicology
Background:
- Cobalt exposure is a concern in industrial settings, potentially impacting respiratory health.
- Long-term health monitoring of workers is crucial for understanding occupational disease risks.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the longitudinal effects of cobalt exposure on lung function in workers.
- To identify factors, including smoking and genetic polymorphisms, that modify the impact of cobalt on lung function.
Main Methods:
- Longitudinal assessment of 122 male workers using lung function tests (FEV1, FVC) from 1988-2001.
- Analysis using a random coefficients model to evaluate spirometric changes against cobalt exposure levels (air, urine).
- Inclusion of covariates: smoking, age, respiratory history, other toxicants, and HLA-DP polymorphism.
Main Results:
- Cobalt exposure was associated with a decline in FEV1 (Forced Expiratory Volume in 1 second) over time.
- This decline was significant only when workers were also smokers.
- No association was found between the HLA-DP beta-chain polymorphism (glutamate at position 69) and lung function changes.
Conclusions:
- Cobalt exposure contributes to FEV1 decline in workers, especially in combination with smoking.
- While the effect size is modest, reducing cobalt exposure and smoking cessation remain important for worker health.
- Further research may be needed to fully elucidate complex interactions affecting occupational lung diseases.