Table 4

Examples of work tasks/exposures in past 12 months not associated or only weakly associated with respiratory symptoms among MRTs

Work task/exposure3 or more respiratory symptoms
 OR* (95% CI)2 or more WR respiratory symptoms
 OR* (95% CI)
*Odds ratio adjusted for age, gender, and childhood asthma.
†⩾1/wk and daily v never and <1/wk.
‡<1/wk or more v never.
§Always v usually, rarely, never.
¶At least rarely v never.
**p< 0.05.
Workplace factors
    Work outside primary workplace1.1 (0.7 to 1.7)1.3 (0.8 to 2.3)
    Exhaust outlets0.9 (0.5 to 1.5)0.8 (0.4 to 1.4)
    Silver recovery unit0.8 (0.4 to 1.5)0.6 (0.3 to 1.4)
Tasks and exposures
    Load film into daylight processor†1.2 (0.8 to 1.7)1.6 (1.0 to 2.6)
    Load film in a darkroom†1.2 (0.8 to 1.9)1.7 (0.9 to 3.3)
    Films per day (dichotomised at median, ⩽60 v >60)1.2 (0.9 to 1.6)1.5 (1.0 to 2.2)**
    Remove processed film from auto processor†1.1 (0.7 to 1.9)0.7 (0.4 to 1.3)
    Pour processing chemicals‡1.3 (0.9 to 1.7)1.4 (0.9 to 2.1)
    Processing film by hand (wet developing)‡1.2 (0.7 to 2.2)(see table 5)
    Removed used chemicals1.6 (1.1 to 2.3)**1.0 (0.6 to 1.8)
    Clean processor (routine)‡1.5 (1.1 to 2.1)**1.4 (0.9 to 2.1)
    Clean crossover rollers‡1.0 (0.8 to 1.4)1.1 (0.7 to 1.7)
    Mix fixer/developer chemicals‡1.2 (0.9 to 1.7)1.6 (1.1 to 2.4)**
Personal protective equipment
    Gloves when loading or replacing chemicals§1.1 (0.7 to 1.8)1.4 (0.8 to 2.5)
    Gloves for other tasks§0.9 (0.6 to 1.3)0.8 (0.5 to 1.3)
    Latex gloves¶0.7 (0.5 to 1.0)0.6 (0.4 to 0.96)**
    Goggles when loading or replacing chemicals§1.1 (0.6 to 1.9)1.7 (0.9 to 3.2)
    Gown when loading or replacing chemicals§1.3 (0.7 to 2.4)1.6 (0.8 to 3.4)
    Respirator (not disposable) when adding developer or fixer¶1.3 (0.8 to 2.3)1.5 (0.8 to 2.9)
    Lead apron¶1.1 (0.6 to 1.9)1.1 (0.5 to 2.2)