Respiratory Effects of Occupational Exposure in a General Population Sample in North Italy1-3

SUMMARY We assessed the effects of occupational exposure In a general population semple living In an unpolluted rural area of North Italy. In the age renge of 18 to 64 yr, there were 417partlclpanta who reported any exposure to dusta, chemicals, or gas8s and 1,218who reported no exposure. Each subject completed a standardized Intervl_r·admlnlstered questionnaire (CNRquestionnaire). A variable proportion of partlclpanta succeeded In performing flow-volume curves, diffusing capacity of carbon monoxide, and alope of alveolar plateau of nitrogen. There was no significant difference for symptom prevalence rates between exposed and nonexposed In men and women who smoke. In nonsmoking women, those exposed showed significantly higher prevalence rates for exertlonal dyspnea and asthma. Regarding lung function, In exposed male smokers there was a significantly higher slope of the alveolar plateau. In exposed female nonsmokers, FEV, and forced expiratory flows were significantly lower. Multiple logistic mOdels In the ovarall group, accounting for age, smoking, and pack-years, showed that work exposure was associated significantly with higher risks for all symptoms In men (e.g., odds ratio: 2.78 for dyspnea, 2.31 for aathma, 1.69 for cough, and 1.64 for phlegm); In females, the association was significant for dyspnea (OR = 3.74) and aathma (OR = 3.29). Exposed men also had a significantly higher risk for %FEV, or FEV,'FVC% below 70 (OR = 1.45). Our findings confirm those of the other few epidemiologic sur· veys In general population samples and contribute to the suggestion of a causel association between occupational exposure and chronic obstructlva pulmonary disease.