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Upper airway symptoms and function in wood surface coating industry workers
M Holmström1, P Granstrand, L A Nylander-French
1Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Huddinge University Hospital, Karolinska Institute, Sweden.
American Journal of Industrial Medicine
|August 1, 1995
Summary
Workers in wood product manufacturing experienced nasal, eye, and throat discomfort from airborne contaminants. Ultraviolet (UV) and acid curing (AC) processes showed slower mucociliary clearance and impaired olfaction, necessitating improved safety measures.
Area of Science:
- Occupational Health
- Environmental Science
- Industrial Hygiene
Background:
- Wood product manufacturing involves surface coating using ultraviolet radiation curing (UV) and acid curing (AC) technologies.
- Workers in these processes may be exposed to airborne contaminants, including organic solvents and coating dusts.
- Previous research indicates potential health risks associated with airborne exposures in industrial settings.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the respiratory and ocular effects of airborne contaminants in UV and AC surface coating workers.
- To compare symptom prevalence and physiological responses between exposed workers and a control group.
- To identify specific processes or tasks associated with higher exposure risks.
Main Methods:
- A comparative study involving surface coating line and finishing workers in UV and AC processes, alongside a control group.
- Data collection through worker questionnaires detailing symptoms and medical examinations.
- Objective measurements including nasal, pharyngeal, and ocular symptom assessment, mucociliary clearance tests, olfaction threshold determination, and personal air sampling for airborne contaminants.
Main Results:
- Exposed workers reported common nasal, pharyngeal, and ocular discomfort, most frequently in UV line workers and finishers of UV-coated products.
- UV line workers exhibited significantly slower mucociliary clearance.
- Elevated olfaction thresholds were noted in both UV and AC line workers and finishers of UV/AC-coated products.
- Low levels of organic solvents and coating dusts were detected in worker breathing zones.
Conclusions:
- Airborne contaminants in UV and AC wood product manufacturing contribute to respiratory and ocular discomfort.
- UV curing processes appear to pose a greater risk, evidenced by slower mucociliary clearance and higher symptom frequency.
- Despite improvements, enhanced control measures and work practices are essential to mitigate worker exposure to airborne contaminants.