LUNG HEALTH AMONG PLUMBERS AND PIPEFITTERS IN EDMONTON, ALBERTA

Objectives-A cross sectional study was undertaken to assess lung healt h among plumbers and pipefitters. Respiratory symptoms, lung function, and radiographic changes among 99 actively employed plumbers and pipe fitters with greater than or equal to 20 years of union membership wer e compared with 100 telephone workers. Methods-A respiratory symptom q uestionnaire was administered, including smoking and occupational hist ories. Spirometry was conducted according to standard criteria. Poster oanterior chest radiographs were evaluated by two experienced chest ph ysicians, with a third arbitrating disagreed films. Members of the uni on were categorised as pipefitters (n=57), plumbers (n=16), or welders (n=26), based on longest service, and compared with the telephone wor kers and interonally (between groups). Lung health was also compared w ith employment in several work sectors common to Alberta for time, and for time weighted by exposure to dust and fumes, Results-Compared wit h the telephone workers, plumbers and pipefitters had more cough and p hlegm, lower forced vital capacity, and more radiographic changes (20% with any change), including circumscribed (10%) and diffuse pleural t hickening (9%). None of the plumbers and pipefitters had small radiogr aphic opacities. Among the three subgroups of workers, plumbers had th e highest prevalence of radiographic changes. Both plumbers and pipefi tters showed higher odds ratios for cough and phlegm than the welders, No differences between groups were found for lung function. indicator s of lung health were not related to work in any sector. Conclusions-P lumbers and pipefitters had increased prevalence of symptoms suggestiv e of an irritant effect with no evidence of branchial responsiveness. The chest radiographs showed evidence of asbestos exposure, especially in the plumbers, but at lower levels than previously reported. Health screening programmes for these workers should be considered, although the logistical problems associated with screening in this group would be considerable.