Respiratory health status of 3098 Canadian grain workers studied longitudinally

Abstract

Analyses of data on 3098 male individuals surveyed twice by the Labour Canada Medical Surveillance Program for the Grain Industry are presented. The program collects information on respiratory symptoms, job description, and smoking habits of these workers. In addition, each worker performs pulmonary function tests obtainable through spirometry. Chronic sputum production and chronic wheezing were more prevalent during the latest testing period (rising to 17 percent and 13%, respectively), while the prevalence of chronic cough (16%) and dyspnea (10%) did not change significantly. Eighty-two percent of these workers, in each time cycle, had normal pulmonary function despite an additional 3 years of work exposure. In each cycle, obstructive dysfunction (less than or equal to 12% of workers) was more prevalent than restrictive dysfunction (less than or equal to 5%) or combined obstructive/restrictive dysfunction (less than or equal to 2.4%). It is unknown unknown whether this demonstrated dysfunction is due to previous workplace exposure, as Labour Canada and the Canadian grain industry have cooperated in lowering the grain dust levels found in grain elevators and terminals. In addition, the prevalence of current cigarette smoking has declined. (decreases 5%) among these grain handlers, and there is suggestive evidence that those continuing to smoke have reduced their consumption (mean pack-years changed only from 15.3 to 17.4). Knowledge of environmental dangers and educational programs have contributed to these encouraging results.