RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Respiratory symptoms and airflow limitation in asphalt workers
JF Occupational and Environmental Medicine
JO Occup Environ Med
FD BMJ Publishing Group Ltd
SP 367
OP 369
DO 10.1136/oem.2002.006114
VO 61
IS 4
A1 B G Randem
A1 B Ulvestad
A1 I Burstyn
A1 J Kongerud
YR 2004
UL http://oem.bmj.com/content/61/4/367.abstract
AB Background: Asphalt workers are exposed to bitumen fume and vapour, and to exhaust from engines and passing traffic. Aims: To assess the occurrence of respiratory symptoms and signs of airflow limitations in a group of asphalt workers. Methods: All 64 asphalt workers and a reference group of 195 outdoor construction workers from the same company participated in a cross-sectional study. Spirometric tests and a questionnaire on respiratory symptoms and smoking habits were administered. Respiratory symptoms and lung function were adjusted for age and smoking. Results: The FEV1/FVC% ratio was significantly lower in the asphalt workers than in the referents. Symptoms of eye irritation, chest tightness, shortness of breath on exertion, chest wheezing, physician diagnosed asthma, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) were all significantly more prevalent among the asphalt workers. Conclusion: In asphalt workers there is an increased risk of respiratory symptoms, lung function decline, and COPD compared to other construction workers.