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Document ID (ISN)58667
CIS number 92-1541
ISSN - Serial title 0025-7818 - Medicina del lavoro
Year 1991
Convention or series no.
Author(s) Pistelli R., Pupp N., Forastiere F., Agabiti N., Corbo G.M., Tidei F., Perucci C.A.
Title Increase in non-specific bronchial responsiveness following occupational exposure to vanadium
Original title Aumento della reattività bronchiale aspecifica dopo esposizione professionale a vanadio [in Italian]
Bibliographic information May-June 1991, Vol.82, No.3, p.270-275. 15 ref.
Abstract A study was conducted to evaluate the level of bronchial responsiveness among workers recently exposed to vanadium pentoxide during periodical removal of ashes and clinker from the boilers of an oil-fired power station. A total of 11 male workers and 14 controls were examined 40-60h after the last exposure. None of the subjects in the 2 groups had symptoms of bronchial inflammation or significant airway obstruction. However, bronchial responsiveness, investigated using a methacholine challenge test, was significantly higher in the exposed group. It is suggested that exposure to vanadium increases bronchial responsiveness even without clinical appearance of bronchial symptoms. The possible role of such an increased level of airway responsiveness in the development of chronic obstructive lung disease is discussed.
Descriptors (primary) obstructive ventilatory impairment; steam boilers; vanadium pentoxide; electric power generation; cleaning
Descriptors (secondary) comparative study; respiratory function tests
Document type D - Periodical articles
Country / State or ProvinceItaly
Subject(s) Occupational pathology
Broad subject area(s) Occupational medicine, epidemiology
Browse category(ies) Diseases of the respiratory system (except for pneumoconiosis & similar)
Compressed gases and pressure vessels
Cleaning work
Power generation and distribution
Inorganic substances