Authors say exposure control and regular respiratory health surveillance needed for workers<\/p>\n<\/h3>\n
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TUESDAY, Nov. 1, 2022 (HealthDay News) — Workplace exposure to gases, dusts, fumes, and solvents is linked to declines in lung capacity, according to a systematic review and meta-analysis published online Oct. 24 in Occupational & Environmental Medicine<\/em>.<\/p>\n Golam Rabbani, M.P.H., from Bangladesh Betar in Dhaka, and colleagues conducted a systematic literature review to identify studies evaluating adverse occupational exposures and age-related lung function decline.<\/p>\n Based on 12 longitudinal studies, researchers found that ever exposures to gases\/fumes; vapors, gases, dusts, and fumes; and aromatic solvents were significantly associated with forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1<\/sub>) decline. A similar decline in FEV1<\/sub> was seen for cumulative exposures for these three occupational agents. In fixed-effect models, ever exposures to fungicides and cumulative exposures to biological dust, fungicides, and insecticides were associated with FEV1<\/sub> decline. There were no statistically significant associations of mineral dust, herbicides, and metals with FEV1<\/sub> decline.<\/p>\n “Pooled estimates from the longitudinal population-based studies have provided evidence that occupational exposures are associated with FEV1<\/sub> decline,” the authors write. “Specific exposure control and respiratory health surveillance are required to protect the lung health of the workers.”<\/p>\n One author disclosed financial ties to the pharmaceutical industry.<\/p>\n