TERPENE EXPOSURE AND RESPIRATORY EFFECTS AMONG WORKERS IN SWEDISH JOINERY SHOPS

Objectives Exposure to monoterpenes (alpha-pinene, beta-pinene and Del ta(3)-carene) in joinery shops was studied in Sweden during the proces sing of Scot's pine, and the acute respiratory effects among the emplo yees were evaluated. Methods A cross-sectional study of 38 workers was carried out in 4 joinery shops. The investigation included personal a ir sampling of monoterpenes, biological monitoring of metabolites of a lpha-pinene in the workers' urine, interviews following a standardized questionnaire, and dynamic spirometry. Results The personal exposure to monoterpenes in the joinery shops was 10-214 mg/m(3). The correlati on (correlation coefficient = 0.69) between exposure to alpha-pinene a nd verbenols (metabolites from a-pinene) in urine was relatively good. No acute effects on forced viral capacity or forced expiratory volume during 1 s were detected. The workers had significantly reduced presh ift lung function values when compared with the values of a local refe rence group, even when smokers and ex-smokers were excluded. Conclusio ns Personal exposure to the monoterpenes alpha-pinene, beta-pinene, an d Delta(3)-carene in joinery shops may exceed the present Swedish occu pational exposure limit of 150 mg/m(3) during the winter season when w orkroom air is commonly recirculated. The determination of metabolites of alpha-pinene (verbenols) in urine can be used as an index of expos ure to fumes released during wood-treating processes. The results from the lung function tests indicate chronic rather than acute reactions in the airways. The fact that there were no major changes in lung func tion over a workshift indicates chronic reaction in the airways.