Occupational Dust Exposure as a Risk Factor for Developing Lung Function Impairment

Objective: Dust exposure is high in several industries. We investigated associations of exposure in paper mills, wood pellet plants, and iron foundries with lung function impairment. Methods: Respirable silica, inhalable paper dust, or inhalable wood dust were collected as personal samples and spirometry was performed. Multiple linear regression analyzed associations with FEV1%pred and FVC%pred. Results: Wood pellet workers with high exposure to inhalable dust had lower FEV1%pred (95% CI) (-9.4 [-16 to -2.6]) and FVC%pred (-9.8 [-15 to -4.0]) comparedwith lowest exposure level. Workers at papermills and foundries had no dose-dependent association but lower FEV1%pred and FVC%pred than in workers at wood pellets plants. Conclusions: Increased exposure to inhalablewood dust is associated with decreased lung function. Foundry and paper mill workers have generally lower lung function than wood pellet workers. Spirometry should be considered in workers in industries with airborne particulate matter pollution.