Table 5

RR (95% CI) of COPD by quartiles of cumulative organic dust exposure among 4032 farm workers (n=1911) and wood industry workers (n=2121) with individual smoking information (n=65 464 person-years)

Organic dust exposure COPD cases (n) RR crude (95% CI) RR adjusted* (95% CI* RR adjusted (95% CI†)
Low (0.06–6.05 mg/m3-year) (n=16 366 py)18111
Intermediate-low (>6.05–12.39 mg/m3-year) (n=16 366 py)120.67(0.32 to 1.38)0.91(0.43 to 1.91)0.90(0.43 to 1.89)
Intermediate-high (>12.39-21-35 mg/m3-year) (n=16 366 py)<50.22(0.08 to 0.66)0.33(0.11 to 0.98)0.34(0.11 to 1.02)
High (>21.35–107.87 mg/m3-year) (n=16 366 py)110.61(0.29 to 1.29)0.67(0.31 to 1.45)0.73(0.33 to 1.59)
Per mg/m3-year‡0.99(0.96 to 1.01)0.99(0.97 to 1.01)0.99(0.97 to 1.02)
  • *Adjustment for age (continuous), calendar year and sex.

  • †Adjustment for age (continuous), calendar year, sex and ever smoking at baseline.

  • ‡ Continuous cumulative organic dust exposure.

  • COPD, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease; py, person years.