PULMONARY VENTILATORY DEFECTS AND OCCUPATIONAL EXPOSURES IN A POPULATION-BASED STUDY IN SPAIN

We assessed the association between occupational exposures and symptom s of chronic bronchitis and pulmonary ventilatory defects in a general population-based study of five areas in Spain. This study forms part of the European Community Respiratory Health Study (ECRHS). Subjects ( n = 1,735; age range, 20-44 yr; 52.4% of those initially selected) com pleted a respiratory questionnaire on symptoms and occupation and unde rwent baseline spirometry. Occupation was translated with an od hoc de veloped job-exposure matrix (JEM) into none, low, and high exposure to biological dust, mineral dust, and gases and fumes. Exposure to high levels of biological dust was associated with cough for more than 3 mo (odds ratio [OR], 1.9; p = 0.07), a reduction in FEF25-75 to 478 ml/s (SD 178), and a reduction in FEV1 to 151 mL (SD 71). These associatio ns remained after excluding subjects with asthma symptoms or bronchial responsiveness. Smokers tended to have a higher risk for respiratory symptoms, but smoking did not modify the association of occupation wit h pulmonary function. Exposure to mineral dust and gases/fumes was les s consistently related to pulmonary function or to respiratory symptom s and this association further decreased after excluding subjects with asthma. In conclusion, exposure to high levels of biological dust in young adults is associated with symptoms of chronic bronchitis and pul monary ventilatory defects, independently of asthma and smoking.