Endotoxin exposure-response in a fiberglass manufacturing facility

✍ Scribed by Donald K. Milton; David Wypij; David Kriebel; Michael D. Walters; S. Katharine Hammond; John S. Evans

• Publisher: John Wiley and Sons
• Year: 1996
• Tongue: English
• Weight: 927 KB
• Volume: 29
• Category: Article
• ISSN: 0271-3586
• DOI: 10.1002/(sici)1097-0274(199601)29:1<3::aid-ajim2>3.0.co;2-v

✦ Synopsis

Peak expiratory jlow (PEF) and workplace exposure to endotoxin, phenolic resin, and formaldehyde were measured to investigate asthma symptoms and medication use utnong employees in a .fiberglass wool nianufactiiririg plant. Self recorded PEF was obtained from 37 workers, for a total of 181 days off work and 187 days at work with concurrent personal exposure monitoring. Pre-and post-shifr spirometry were obtained on at least 2 days. The 8 hr time-weighted average personal exposure ranges were endotoxin, 0.4-759 ng/m3; phenolic resin, 5.7-327 pg/m'; and&mnaldeliyde, 1.2-265 pg/m3. Amplitude percent mean peak flow wus associated with years since starting regular work in the highest endotoxiit exposure area. although current assignment in that urea was associated with reduced amplitudeevidence for a healthy worker effect. Exposure-response was analyzed by regression of lung .function change on exposure using generalized estimating equations with robust variance estimates. Endotoxin exposure aboi'e 4 ng/m' (8 hr time-weighted average) was associated with a decline in lung function across the work shifr, and with drops in lung function 16-20 hr after exposure. Phenolic resin exposure was not consistently associated with decrements, and formaldehyde was not associated with decrements in lung function.