Annals of work exposures and health
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Ann Work Expo Health · Nov 2018
New-onset COPD and Decline in Lung Function Among Wood Dust-Exposed Workers: Re-analysis of a 6-year Follow-up Study.
There is a lack of longitudinal studies exploring the association between organic wood dust exposure and new-onset chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and change in lung function. We have re-investigated these associations in a 6-year follow-up cohort of furniture workers exposed to wood dust using improved outcome measures and methods. ⋯ In conclusion, we found that female woodworkers have a dose-dependent increased OR of new-onset COPD and an excess decline in lung function suggesting that female woodworkers may be more susceptible to wood dust exposure than male woodworkers. Among male woodworkers, only smoking and asthma were significant predictors for new-onset COPD and excess decline in lung function. These results emphasize that reduction in both smoking and wood dust exposure should continuously be an effort to prevent adverse pulmonary health effects.