Punam Pahwa1, James A Dosman, Helen H McDuffie. 1. Department of Community Health and Epidemiology, and Institute of Agricultural Rural and Environmental Health, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, Canada.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To determine longitudinal estimates of pulmonary function decline in Canadian grain elevator workers before and after dust control by analyzing data collected from five regions of Canada over 15 years. METHODS: Declines in forced expired volume in one second and forced vital capacity before and after dust control were estimated by using a generalized estimating equations approach. RESULTS: For grain workers who were in the grain industry for 20 or more years both before and after dust control: the mean annual loss of forced expired volume in one second was greatest among current smoking grain workers followed by ex-smokers and nonsmokers, respectively. Similar results were obtained for forced vital capacity. CONCLUSIONS: Grain dust control was effective in reducing decline in the lung function measurements among grain workers in all smoking and exposure categories.
OBJECTIVE: To determine longitudinal estimates of pulmonary function decline in Canadian grain elevator workers before and after dust control by analyzing data collected from five regions of Canada over 15 years. METHODS: Declines in forced expired volume in one second and forced vital capacity before and after dust control were estimated by using a generalized estimating equations approach. RESULTS: For grain workers who were in the grain industry for 20 or more years both before and after dust control: the mean annual loss of forced expired volume in one second was greatest among current smoking grain workers followed by ex-smokers and nonsmokers, respectively. Similar results were obtained for forced vital capacity. CONCLUSIONS: Grain dust control was effective in reducing decline in the lung function measurements among grain workers in all smoking and exposure categories.
Authors: Anne Straumfors; Kari Kulvik Heldal; Wijnand Eduard; Inge M Wouters; Dag G Ellingsen; Marit Skogstad Journal: Occup Environ Med Date: 2016-07-29 Impact factor: 4.402