BACKGROUND: This study examines the hypothesis that acid mist or mixtures of acid mists and acid gases are associated with ulcerative lesions of the oral mucosa. METHODS: All 665 active male workers of a metal processing factory were the study population. Semi-quantitative measures of exposure were estimated from a job exposure matrix constructed with industrial hygienist scoring and job titles. Ulcerative lesions of the oral mucosa were identified with standardized clinical dental exams. RESULTS: Past exposure to acid mists were positively associated with ulcerative lesions of the oral mucosa but only among workers without lip sealing (age- and alcohol consumption-adjusted prevalence ratio (PR), PR(adjusted) = 3.40; 90% CI: 1.48-7.85). Also in this worker group, the mixture of acid mists and acid gases was associated with ulcerative lesions of the oral mucosa limited to exposure in the past (PR(adjusted) = 2.83; 90% CI: 1.12-7.17). CONCLUSIONS: There is a positive association between acid mist or mixtures of acid mists and acid gases and ulcerative lesions of the oral mucosa only in the absence of lip sealing. The evidence of a chronic rather than acute irritative process suggests a possible step on the etiology of oral malignancies, which needs investigation. Copyright 2004 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
BACKGROUND: This study examines the hypothesis that acid mist or mixtures of acid mists and acid gases are associated with ulcerative lesions of the oral mucosa. METHODS: All 665 active male workers of a metal processing factory were the study population. Semi-quantitative measures of exposure were estimated from a job exposure matrix constructed with industrial hygienist scoring and job titles. Ulcerative lesions of the oral mucosa were identified with standardized clinical dental exams. RESULTS: Past exposure to acid mists were positively associated with ulcerative lesions of the oral mucosa but only among workers without lip sealing (age- and alcohol consumption-adjusted prevalence ratio (PR), PR(adjusted) = 3.40; 90% CI: 1.48-7.85). Also in this worker group, the mixture of acid mists and acid gases was associated with ulcerative lesions of the oral mucosa limited to exposure in the past (PR(adjusted) = 2.83; 90% CI: 1.12-7.17). CONCLUSIONS: There is a positive association between acid mist or mixtures of acid mists and acid gases and ulcerative lesions of the oral mucosa only in the absence of lip sealing. The evidence of a chronic rather than acute irritative process suggests a possible step on the etiology of oral malignancies, which needs investigation. Copyright 2004 Wiley-Liss, Inc.