Work-related spirometric restriction in flavoring manufacturing workers

Am J Ind Med. 2014 Feb;57(2):129-37. doi: 10.1002/ajim.22282. Epub 2013 Nov 22.

Abstract

Background: Flavoring-exposed workers are at risk for occupational lung disease.

Methods: We examined serial spirometries from corporate medical surveillance of flavoring production workers to assess abnormality compared to the U.S. population; mean decline in forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) and forced vital capacity (FVC); and excessive declines in FEV1.

Results: Of 106 workers, 30 had spirometric restriction, 3 had obstruction, 1 had both, and 13 (of 70, 19%) had excessive declines in FEV1. The adjusted prevalence of restriction was 3.7 times expected. Employees with higher potential for flavorings exposure had 3.0 times and 2.4 times greater average annual declines in FEV1 and FVC respectively, and had 5.8 times higher odds of having excessive FEV1 declines than employees with lower potential for exposure.

Conclusion: Exposure-related spirometric abnormalities consistent with a restrictive process evolved during employment, suggesting that exposures in flavoring production are associated with a range of pathophysiology.

Keywords: diacetyl; excessive decline; flavorings; hydrogen sulfide; spirometric restriction; spirometry.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Chemical Industry*
  • Female
  • Flavoring Agents / toxicity*
  • Forced Expiratory Volume
  • Humans
  • Inhalation Exposure / adverse effects*
  • Longitudinal Studies
  • Lung Diseases, Obstructive / chemically induced
  • Lung Diseases, Obstructive / physiopathology*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Occupational Diseases / chemically induced
  • Occupational Diseases / physiopathology*
  • Occupational Exposure / adverse effects*
  • Respiratory System / physiopathology*
  • Spirometry
  • Time Factors
  • Vital Capacity
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Flavoring Agents