The effects of aluminum on the pulmonary function of aluminum workers
were investigated in this study. Serum aluminum levels and spirometry
were measured in 55 male workers and 30 male controls. The mean serum
aluminum level of workers (72.7 +/- 9.9 ng/ml) was significantly high
compared to that of controls, indicating aluminum toxicity. Spirometri
c parameters were significantly lower in workers than in controls and
correlated negatively with both exposure time and serum aluminum level
s. The impairment in pulmonary function may be due to exposure time an
d insufficient protection. (C) 1998 Wiley-Liss, Inc.