IMPACT OF EXPOSURE TO INSULATION WOOL ON LUNG-FUNCTION AND COUGH IN SWEDISH CONSTRUCTION WORKERS

Objectives-To investigate whether application of insulation wool adver sely affects lung volumes and increases the occurrence of symptoms of airway irritation. Methods-Data from nationwide health check ups in 19 81-93 of male construction workers born in 1955 or later were used to investigate cross sectional (n=96004) and longitudinal (n=26298) assoc iations between lung volumes, vital capacity (VC), and forced expirato ry volume in one second (FEV1) and exposure to insulation wool by comb ining a job exposure matrix (JEM) and self reported exposure. Data on 12 month prevalence of persistent cough not associated with the common cold was available for the period 1989-92. Potential confounding from smoking, exposure to asbestos, silica, and isocyanates, was considere d in the analyses. Results-For those in the highest exposure category (self reported duration of exposure of kll years, and high exposure ac cording to the JEM) VC was on average 2.5 cl lower (95% CI -6.5 to 1.5 ) than in those with no exposure. The corresponding figures for FEV1 w as -2.4 cl (95% CI -6.1 to 1.3). In the longitudinal analyses, the yea rly change in VC between the first and last spirometry for those in th e highest exposure category was 0.50 cl (95% CI -0.97 to 1.98) less th an in the unexposed category. The corresponding figure for FEV1 was 0. 89 cl (95% CI -0.70 to 2.06). High exposure to insulation wool, asbest os, or silica, during the 12 months preceding the check up was associa ted with increased odds ratios (ORs) for persistent cough of the same magnitude as current smoking.Conclusions-The results indicate no effec ts on VC or FEV1 from exposure to insulation wool. Recent exposure to insulation wool, asbestos, and silica was associated with an increased prevalence of persistent cough.