[Locomotor and cardiorespiratory impairments after retirement in relation to certain occupational exposures during...

The relationships between locomotor and cardiorespiratory impairments and occupational exposures during working life were examined, using a sample of 627 retired persons in the greater Paris area. Among men, there was a significant statistical association between carrying heavy weights and locomotor impairment. There were also significant associations between exposure to toxic products, tiring postures and vibrations and cardiorespiratory impairment among men. Concerning women, associations between exposure to dust and tiring postures during working life and cardiorespiratory impairment were observed. These results were obtained after adjusting for age, socio-professional status, tobacco use, living alone and after adjusting also for the other occupational exposures. These results are compatible with the hypothesis of long-term effects of occupational exposures on the principal health characteristics of the aged.