J. Mandryk et al., Work-related symptoms and dose-response relationships for personal exposures and pulmonary function among woodworkers, AM J IND M, 35(5), 1999, pp. 481-490
Background Four sawmills, a wood chipping mill, and five joineries in New S
outh Wales, Australia, were studied for the effects of personal exposure to
wood dust, endotoxins, (1 --> 3)-beta-D-glucans, Gram-negative bacteria, a
nd fungi on lung function among woodworkers.
Methods Personal inhalable and respirable dust sampling was carried out. Th
e lung function tests of workers were conducted before and after a workshif
t.
Results The mean percentage cross-shift decrease in lung function was marke
dly high for woodworkers compared with the controls. Dose-response relation
ships among personal exposures and percentage cross-shift decrease in lung
function and percentage predicted lung function were more pronounced among
joinery workers compared with sawmill and chip mill workers. Woodworkers ha
d markedly high prevalence of regular cough, phlegm, and chronic bronchitis
compared with controls. Significant associations were found between percen
tage cross-shift decrease in FVC and regular phlegm and blocked nose among
sawmill and chip mill workers. Both joinery workers and sawmill and chip mi
ll workers showed significant relationships between percentage predicted lu
ng function (FVC, FEV1, FEV1/FVC, FEF25-75%) and respiratory symptoms.
Conclusions Wood dust and biohazards associated with wood dust are potentia
l health hazards and should be controlled. Am. J. Ind. Med. 35:481-490, 199
9. (C) 1999 Wiley-Liss, Inc.