Abstract
ObjectiveIron and steel industry workers are exposed to high levels of inhalable dust particles that contain various elements, including metals, and cause occupational lung diseases. We aim to assess the relationship between occupational dust exposure, systemic inflammation, and spirometric decline in a cohort of Chinese iron and steel workers.MethodsWe studied 7513 workers who participated in a Health Surveillance program at Wugang Institute for Occupational Health between 2008 and 2017. Time-weighted exposure intensity (TWEI) of dust was quantified based on self-reported dust exposure history, the experience of occupational hygienists, and historical data of dust exposure for workers with certain job titles. A linear mixed-effects model was used for association analyses.ResultsThe average annual change of lung function was − 50.78 ml/year in forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1) and − 34.36 ml/year in forced vital capacity (FVC) in males, and − 39.06 ml/year in FEV1 and − 26.66 ml/year in FVC in females. Higher TWEI prior to baseline was associated with lower longitudinal measurements of FEV1 and FVC but not with their decline rates. Higher WBC and its differential at baseline were associated with lower longitudinal measurements and a more rapid decline of FEV1 and FVC in a dose-dependent monotonically increasing manner. Moreover, the increase of WBC and its differential post-baseline was also associated with a more rapid decline of FEV1 and FVC.ConclusionsOur findings support the important role of systemic inflammation in affecting the temporal change of lung function in iron and steel industry workers.
Highlights
The iron and steel industry as a fundamental component of modern industrial infrastructure for the entire human society has employed millions of workers who were exposed to many chemical and physical hazards, workplace activities, or conditions [1]
Because no cohort members were newly employed at the baseline visit, we focused on detailed employment history including plant, workshop, and post at the Wuyang Iron and Steel Company prior to baseline visit to quantify occupational dust exposure
Workers reported 13 years of occupational dust exposure at the Wuyang Iron and Steel Company, concordant with the fact that the Company was the first employer for most cohort members
Summary
A detailed description is available in supplemental materials. Study subjects This longitudinal study was conducted in 7575 employees from Wuyang Iron and Steel Company Limited (Hangang Group in Henan, China). A linear mixed-effects model with a subject-specific random intercept was used to assess the associations between occupational dust exposure (i.e., TWEI and years of dust exposure) prior to baseline and longitudinal spirometry with adjustment of important covariates. Baseline spirometry and its interaction with TIC were included in the models to minimize its effect on the association between occupational dust exposure and lung function decline. We used linear mixed-effects models to assess the association of WBC count and differential at baseline with longitudinal measurements of lung function and its decline. Three-way interactions (e.g., current smoker × TWEI × TIC or current smoker × WBC × TIC) with their two-way interactions and main effects were included in the models to analyze the potential effect modification of cigarette smoking on the associations of longitudinal lung function with occupational dust exposure or WBC count and differential. A prudent analytical plan was developed to analyze the relationship
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary 
Published Version (
Free)
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
