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Effects of occupational exposures and smoking on lung function in tile factory workers

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Abstract

Purpose

The aims of this study were to investigate the relations of occupational exposures in tile industry to lung function and to evaluate potential interaction between smoking and tile dust exposure containing silica.

Methods

A cross-sectional study of 232 workers (response rate 100%) in a tile factory and 76 office workers (response rate 73%) from four factories in Thailand was conducted in 2006–2007. Participants answered a questionnaire and performed spirometry.

Results

Factory workers had lower spirometric functions than office workers, especially those with high dust exposure. There was a dose–response relation between duration of dust exposure and FEV1 and FVC, the adjusted effect of ≥21 years of exposure on FEV1 being −240 ml (−100 to −380) and on FVC −300 ml (−140 to −460). The adverse effect of dust on lung function was larger in current smokers suggesting synergism between smoking and tile dust exposure.

Conclusions

This study provides evidence that long-term exposure to dust in tile industry is related to lung function reduction. There was a suggestion of synergistic effect between dust exposure and smoking. Tile factories should consider measures to reduce dust exposure and arrange spirometry surveillance for workers with such exposure. Smoking cessation should be promoted to prevent harmful effects of occupational tile dust exposure.

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Acknowledgments

The authors would like to thank Associate Professor Chalermchai Chaikittiporn and Professor Wantanee Phanprasit for supporting the data collection in Thailand. This study was supported by a grant from the Royal Thai Government.

Conflict of interest

The authors declare no competing interests.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Respiratory Medicine Unit, Department of Medicine, Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oulu, P.O. Box 5000, 90014, Oulu, Finland

    Maritta S. Jaakkola

  2. Center for Environmental and Respiratory Health Research, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland

    Maritta S. Jaakkola & Jouni J. K. Jaakkola

  3. Institute of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK

    Maritta S. Jaakkola, Penpatra Sripaiboonkij & Jouni J. K. Jaakkola

  4. Institute of Health Sciences, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland

    Jouni J. K. Jaakkola

Authors
  1. Maritta S. Jaakkola
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  2. Penpatra Sripaiboonkij
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  3. Jouni J. K. Jaakkola
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Correspondence to Maritta S. Jaakkola.

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Appendix 1

Appendix 1

See Table 3.

Table 3 Characteristics of total study population and by being office or factory worker
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Jaakkola, M.S., Sripaiboonkij, P. & Jaakkola, J.J.K. Effects of occupational exposures and smoking on lung function in tile factory workers. Int Arch Occup Environ Health 84, 151–158 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00420-010-0603-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00420-010-0603-6

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