OBJECTIVE: What is the risk of impaired lung function in contemporary Swedish rubber workers and are there modifying effects of genetic variants? METHODS: Included in the study were 159 rubber exposed and 118 not-rubber exposed workers. Lung function was analyzed as forced vital capacity percent of predicted and forced expiratory volume in 1 second percent of predicted. Levels of 2-thiothiazolidine-4-carboxylic acid (a marker of carbon disulfide and vulcanization fumes) was assessed with liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry. Polymorphisms in glutathione-related genes were analyzed by Taqman-based allelic discrimination and ordinary polymerase chain reaction. RESULTS: There was an association between increasing levels of 2-thiothiazolidine-4-carboxylic acid and impaired lung function among exposed workers. The association was modified by glutathione S-transferase alpha 1 (GSTA1)-52 and GSTP1-114. GSTM1 had an influence on lung function among unexposed workers. CONCLUSIONS: There may be a risk of impaired lung function in contemporary rubber workers. Gene-modifying effects may be considered in risk assessments.
OBJECTIVE: What is the risk of impaired lung function in contemporary Swedish rubber workers and are there modifying effects of genetic variants? METHODS: Included in the study were 159 rubber exposed and 118 not-rubber exposed workers. Lung function was analyzed as forced vital capacity percent of predicted and forced expiratory volume in 1 second percent of predicted. Levels of 2-thiothiazolidine-4-carboxylic acid (a marker of carbon disulfide and vulcanization fumes) was assessed with liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry. Polymorphisms in glutathione-related genes were analyzed by Taqman-based allelic discrimination and ordinary polymerase chain reaction. RESULTS: There was an association between increasing levels of 2-thiothiazolidine-4-carboxylic acid and impaired lung function among exposed workers. The association was modified by glutathione S-transferase alpha 1 (GSTA1)-52 and GSTP1-114. GSTM1 had an influence on lung function among unexposed workers. CONCLUSIONS: There may be a risk of impaired lung function in contemporary rubber workers. Gene-modifying effects may be considered in risk assessments.