AIRWAY SYMPTOMS AND LUNG-FUNCTION IN PIPE-LAYERS EXPOSED TO MDI-BASEDPOLYURETHANE PYROLYSIS PRODUCTS AND WELDING FUMES DO NOT RELATE TO HOST POLYMORPHISM FOR CYP1A1, GSTM1 AND NAT2

Determination of the host polymorphism in the CYP1A1, GSTM1 and NAT2 g enes was assessed by the PCR technique in 149 pipe-layers (cross-secti onal study). The pipe-layers were exposed to pyrolysis products from p olyurethane foam based on MDI, and to welding fumes. Respiratory sympt oms, smoking history, and life-time employment history were obtained f rom a detailed questionnaire. A standard skin prick test was used to a ssess atopy. VC and FEV(1) were also determined. The proportion of men with irritative symptoms from the eyes, nose, and throat, and symptom s from the lower airways did not differ significantly between the subg roups of individuals divided according to biotransformation genotype. Further, we did not observe any differences between the subgroups for either VC, or FEV(1). The results were similar when age, atropy, smoki ng habits, and exposure was controlled for by logistic or linear regre ssion modelling.