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Document ID (ISN)56233
CIS number 91-1159
ISSN - Serial title 0355-3140 - Scandinavian Journal of Work, Environment and Health
Year 1990
Convention or series no.
Author(s) Alegre J., Morell F., Cobo E.
Title Respiratory symptoms and pulmonary function of workers exposed to cork dust, toluene diisocyanate and conidia
Bibliographic information June 1990, Vol.16, No.3, p.175-181. 49 ref.
Abstract A cross-sectional study on suberosis was conducted to determine the prevalence of respiratory symptoms and the level of pulmonary function, and their relationships within job categories of exposure to cork dust, toluene diisocyanate (TDI) resin bonding and conidia, among cork workers. Exposure-response relationships, with confounders taken into account, showed specific associations between cork dust and chronic bronchitis, TDI and asthma, and conidia and symptoms of hypersensitivity pneumonitis. Workers exposed to these risk factors had reduced mean spirometric values. A significant correlation between a decrease in pulmonary function and length of exposure was found for the workers exposed to cork dust. These results strongly suggest that suberosis, as hitherto described, might in fact comprise 3 different diseases with different aetiologic risk factors, i.e., respiratory hypersensitivity from exposure to conidia, asthma from exposure to TDI, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease from exposure to cork dust.
Descriptors (primary) tolylene diisocyanate; cork; cork products industry; respiratory diseases; respirable dust; suberosis
Descriptors (secondary) 2,4-tolylene diisocyanate; symptoms; spirometry; hazard evaluation; questionnaire survey; functional respiratory disorders
Document type D - Periodical articles
Country / State or ProvinceSpain
Subject(s) Toxic and dangerous substances
Broad subject area(s) Occupational medicine, epidemiology
Browse category(ies) Diseases of the respiratory system (except for pneumoconiosis & similar)
Pneumoconioses
Isocyanates
Woodworking industry
Cyano compounds
Lumber and the woodworking industry