Pulmonary function and respiratory symptoms in polyvinylchloride fabrication workers

Abstract

We performed preshift and postshift spirometry and administered a standardized respiratory symptoms questionnaire to 174 white males currently employed in polyvinylchloride (PVC) fabrication to examine the acute and chronic respiratory effects of work exposure. Although there were no significant differences between the in-plant comparison group and any department with potential exposures, there was evidence for respiratory effects in the combined group of comparison and exposed workers. In the combined group, duration of employment was significantly associated with decrements in adjusted cross-shift ratio of forced expiratory volume in one second to forced vital capacity (FEV1/FVC), preshift FEV1/FVC, and prevalence of chronic cough and chronic phlegm. In nonsmokers, the prevalences of chronic wheeze and chest tightness were high (36.0 and 50.5%, respectively). The age-adjusted prevalence of chronic wheeze in nonsmokers was also elevated 3.54-fold when compared with that in a community study in the literature. We conclude that the cross-sectional design and in-plant comparison group may mask the effects of exposures on the entire plant population, and that employment in this plant is associated with patterns of obstructive air-flow limitation and respiratory symptoms consistent with exposure to pulmonary irritants. These results suggest that possible agents of pulmonary effects in PVC fabrication are not limited to vinyl chloride monomer, PVC dust, and PVC thermal degradation products.