Lung function: occupational exposure to wood dust

OBJECTIVES Occupational exposure to wood dust has been shown to cause several respiratory disorders, such as allergic rhinitis, chronic bronchitis, asthma, sino-nasal adenocarcinoma, and impairment of lung function. The aim of the study was to estimate lung function (in the woodworking industry) among workers employed by wood processing, who run the risk of being expose to wood dust. METHODS The study concerns a group of 70 workers aged 24- 55. All the workers underwent general and laryngological examination. A group of 20 workers, working at the positions where dustiness exceeded TLV (threshold limit value) took X-ray of the chest and spirometry. The following parameters were measured: VC, IC, ERV, TV, BF, FEV(1), FVC, PEF, MEF(25-75), FEV(1)%FVC, FEV(1)%VC. The data are presented as means +/- SD and the authors applied references values according to ERS guidelines. RESULTS The results show that there was no decline in FEV(1) (3.7 +/- 0.7) and FVC (4.5 +/- 0.8). Normal lung function was defined as FEV(1)/VC ratio > or =0.7. None of the tested workers had obstructive pattern in spirometry. The mean FEV(1)%VC was 77.1 +/- 10.2. These results suggest that wood dust exposure might not lead to significant pulmonary damage. CONCLUSIONS These data do not corroborate that wood dust plays significant role in lung function impairment. Future studies of respiratory health among workers exposed to wood dust are needed.