Occupational Asthma Reference
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Rehfisch P, Anderson M, Berg P, Lampa E, Nordling Y,
Lung Function and Respiratory Symptoms in Hard Metal Workers Exposed to Cobalt,
J Occup Environ Med,
2012;54:409-413,10.1097/JOM.0b013e31824d2d7e
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Keywords: Sweden, FEV1 decline, cobalt, hard metal, ep, ls
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Abstract
Objective:
To follow-up lung function and airway symptoms in workers exposed to cobalt dust at a hardmetal plant. Methods: A total of 582 employees underwent spirometry and completed a questionnaire. A historical exposure matrix was created, assigning figures for historical and recent work-related exposure.
Results:
At the time of employment, 5% reported symptoms from respiratory tract. At follow-up, 5% suffered from persistent coughing and 7% reported asthma; 20% were daily smokers. Among nonsmokers without asthma, an evident, statistically nonsignificant, dose–response effectwas seen between increasing cobalt exposure and decline in FEV1 (forced expiratory volume in the first second). In all exposure categories, the FEV1 in smokers
declined 10 mL more per year than for nonsmokers. Conclusions: Even low
levels of cobalt exposure seem to hamper lung function both in smokers and
nonsmokers. This impact is considered low in relation to the effect of aging.
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