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Lung function decline, chronic bronchitis, and occupational exposures in young adults
Jordi Sunyer1, Jan Paul Zock, Hans Kromhout
1Respiratory and Health Research Unit, Medical Research Institute, Barcelona, Spain. jsunyer@imim.es
Summary
Occupational exposure to dusts, gases, and fumes is linked to chronic bronchitis symptoms. However, these exposures did not significantly impair lung function (forced expiratory volume in 1 second) in young adults over a 9-year period.
Area of Science:
- Occupational Health
- Pulmonary Medicine
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Previous cross-sectional studies indicate occupational exposures to vapors, gas, dust, or fumes are risk factors for airway obstruction.
- The general population's respiratory health can be impacted by workplace environmental factors.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the long-term relationship between specific occupations, occupational exposures, and changes in lung function.
- To assess the incidence of chronic bronchitis symptoms in relation to occupational exposures over a 9-year follow-up period.
Main Methods:
- Longitudinal study of 4,079 males and 4,461 females (aged 20-45) from the European Community Respiratory Health Survey.
- Repeated lung function measurements and job history data were collected and linked to a job exposure matrix for cumulative exposure estimates.
- Analysis focused on changes in forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1), FEV1/forced vital capacity (FVC) ratio, and chronic bronchitis symptoms.
Main Results:
- No significant difference in FEV1 decline was observed between individuals with occupational exposures (dusts, gases, fumes) and those in white-collar occupations.
- Occupational exposures to dusts, gases, and fumes did not increase the prevalence or incidence of airway obstruction (FEV1/FVC < 0.7).
- Increased incidence of chronic phlegm was associated with exposure to mineral dust (RR 1.94) and gases/fumes (RR 1.53) in men, independent of smoking status.
Conclusions:
- Occupational exposures to dusts, gases, and fumes during the 1990s are associated with the incidence of chronic bronchitis.
- Despite an increased risk of chronic bronchitis symptoms, these exposures did not negatively impact lung function in this relatively young adult population.
- The findings highlight the importance of considering specific occupational exposures for chronic bronchitis risk, even when overall lung function remains preserved.