Spirometric function in non-smoking workers exposed to aluminum.

BACKGROUND Exposure to aluminum (Al) causes the onset of respiratory disorders. This study is aimed at providing further information on how occupational exposure to Al affects the respiratory apparatus in healthy non-smokers, with particular attention to respiratory function. METHODS A group of 50 male shipyard workers who were exposed to Al underwent medical examination, standard chest X-rays and spirometry in accordance with the C.E.C.A. protocol. The data were compared with those of a homogeneous group of controls, all with blood aluminum (AlB) levels below 7.5 ng/ml. Statistical analysis was performed on the following spirometric parameters: vital capacity (VC), forced vital capacity (FVC), maximum forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1), and mean forced expiratory flow during mid-half of FVC (FEF(25-75%)). Environmental Al levels were also measured at the various workstations. RESULTS Fifty male workers with an average age 31.82 +/- 5.05 years, occupational exposure of 11.81 +/- 3.71 years, presented with average AlB levels of 32.64 +/- 8.69 ng/ml. Environmental monitoring displayed Al levels higher than TLV TWA for all the workstations studied. None of the sample displayed significant pathological conditions. Statistical comparison of the spirometric parameters showed a decrease in the examined values in exposed workers. This decrease was found to be directly proportional to the AlB level. CONCLUSION The authors conclude that Al affects respiratory function and that limit values should be reassessed.

[1]  M. Sim,et al.  Reproducibility of survey results from a study of occupation-related respiratory health in the aluminum industry. , 2002, Applied occupational and environmental hygiene.

[2]  J. L. Abraham,et al.  Aluminum welding fume-induced pneumoconiosis. , 2002, Human pathology.

[3]  P. Nayak.  Aluminum: impacts and disease. , 2002, Environmental research.

[4]  G Benke,et al.  Respiratory symptoms and lung function in bauxite miners , 2001, International archives of occupational and environmental health.

[5]  A. Musk,et al.  Respiratory symptoms and lung function in alumina refinery employees , 2000, Occupational and environmental medicine.

[6]  J. Kongerud,et al.  Increased nitric oxide in exhaled air: an early marker of asthma in non-smoking aluminium potroom workers? , 2000, Occupational and environmental medicine.

[7]  Y Thomassen,et al.  Neurobehavioral performance in aluminum welders. , 2000, American journal of industrial medicine.

[8]  D. Nowak,et al.  Respiratory health and fluoride exposure in different parts of the modern primary aluminum industry , 1999, International archives of occupational and environmental health.

[9]  G Benke,et al.  Respiratory symptoms and lung function in two prebake aluminum smelters. , 1999, American journal of industrial medicine.

[10]  K. Kilburn,et al.  Neurobehavioral impairment and symptoms associated with aluminum remelting. , 1998, Archives of environmental health.

[11]  Y. Schwarz,et al.  Evaluation of workers exposed to dust containing hard metals and aluminum oxide. , 1998, American journal of industrial medicine.

[12]  Malcolm Ross Sim,et al.  Exposures in the Alumina and Primary Aluminium Industry: an Historical Review , 1998 .

[13]  C. Bediz,et al.  Pulmonary function of workers in the aluminum industry. , 1998, American journal of industrial medicine.

[14]  J. Kongerud,et al.  Relation between decline in FEV1 and exposure to dust and tobacco smoke in aluminium potroom workers. , 1997, Occupational and environmental medicine.

[15]  P. Theodorou,et al.  Biological indicators of exposure to total and respirable aluminium dust fractions in a primary aluminium smelter. , 1996, Occupational and environmental medicine.

[16]  J. Kongerud,et al.  Bronchial responsiveness and decline in FEV1 in aluminium potroom workers. , 1994, The European respiratory journal.

[17]  G. Discalzi,et al.  Longitudinal study of workers of an aluminium die casting factory. , 1992, La Medicina del lavoro.

[18]  G. Papi,et al.  [Respiratory symptoms and pulmonary function in the Italian primary aluminum industry]. , 1992, La Medicina del lavoro.

[19]  M. Alessandri,et al.  [Chronic bronchitis and respiratory function in those employed in primary aluminum production]. , 1992, La Medicina del lavoro.

[20]  J. Kongerud,et al.  A longitudinal study of respiratory symptoms in aluminum potroom workers. , 1991, The American review of respiratory disease.

[21]  M. Chan-yeung,et al.  Longitudinal study of workers in an aluminum smelter. , 1989, Archives of environmental health.

[22]  M. Abramson,et al.  Does aluminum smelting cause lung disease? , 1989, The American review of respiratory disease.

[23]  B. Dinman,et al.  Radiographic abnormalities in relation to total dust exposure at a bauxite refinery and alumina-based chemical products plant. , 1988, The American review of respiratory disease.

[24]  J. Kongerud,et al.  Aluminium potroom asthma: the Norwegian experience. , 1994, The European respiratory journal.