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Occupational exposure to soft paper dust and mortality.

Authors :
Torén K
Neitzel R
Sallsten G
Andersson E
Source :
Occupational and environmental medicine [Occup Environ Med] 2020 Aug; Vol. 77 (8), pp. 549-554. Date of Electronic Publication: 2020 Apr 02.
Publication Year :
2020

Abstract

Objectives: Occupational exposure to soft paper dust is associated with impaired lung function. Whether there is an increased risk for asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is unclear.<br />Methods: We studied 7870 workers from three Swedish soft paper mills, and defined high-exposed workers, as having been exposed to soft paper dust exceeding 5 mg/m <superscript>3</superscript> for at least 5 years. The remaining workers were classified as 'low exposed'. Person-years at risk were calculated and stratified according to gender, age and calendar-year. The follow-up time was from 1960 to 2013. The expected numbers of deaths were calculated using the Swedish population as reference and standardised mortality ratios (SMRs) with 95% CIs were assessed.<br />Results: There was an increased mortality due to obstructive lung disease (asthma and COPD), among high-exposed workers, SMR 1.89, 95% CI 1.20 to 2.83, based on 23 observed cases. High-exposed workers had an increased mortality from asthma, SMR 4.13, 95% CI 1.78 to 8.14, based on eight observed cases. The increased asthma mortality was also observed among high-exposed men, SMR 4.38, 95% CI 1.42 to 10.2, based on five observed cases. The asthma mortality among low-exposed workers, both men and women, was not increased. The COPD mortality was not clearly increased among high-exposed workers (SMR 1.52, 95% CI 0.85 to 2.50).<br />Conclusion: High occupational exposure to soft paper dust increases the mortality due to asthma, and the results suggest that soft paper dust levels in workplaces should be below 5 mg/m <superscript>3</superscript> .<br />Competing Interests: Competing interests: None declared.<br /> (© Author(s) (or their employer(s)) 2020. Re-use permitted under CC BY-NC. No commercial re-use. See rights and permissions. Published by BMJ.)

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
1470-7926
Volume :
77
Issue :
8
Database :
MEDLINE
Journal :
Occupational and environmental medicine
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
32241835
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.1136/oemed-2019-106394