Showing papers by "Robert L. Cowie published in 1998"
TL;DR: The men with silicosis suffered a substantial loss of lung function during the period of follow-up that was directly in proportion with the nodule profusion on their initial chest radiographs.
51 citations
TL;DR: Several symptoms suggestive of bronchial responsiveness were associated with fume exposures in the gas and oil industry and health screening programs for these workers are warranted.
Abstract: Background Construction boilermakers may be exposed to a variety of substances, including asbestos and welding fumes. Past studies of boilermakers have shown increases in mortality from lung cancer and asbestosis and radiographic changes consistent with asbestos exposure.
Methods Respiratory symptoms, lung function, and radiographic changes were compared for 102 actively employed boilermakers with 20 or more years of union membership and 100 telephone workers. Posteroanterior chest radiographs were evaluated by two experienced chest physicians, with a third arbitrating disagreed films. Union members were further categorized as boilermakers (n = 50) or welders (n = 52), based on longest service. Lung health was also compared with employment in a number of work sectors for time, and time-weighted exposure to dust and fumes.
Results Boilermakers had more respiratory symptoms than telephone workers, but lung function did not differ. Radiographic changes were more common among the boilermakers (20% with any change, 8% circumscribed, and 9% diffuse pleural thickening). None of the boilermakers had small radiographic opacities. Several symptoms suggestive of bronchial responsiveness were associated with fume exposures in the gas and oil industry. Workers whose longest service was as a boilermaker demonstrated more symptoms than did welders. FEV1, FEV1/FVC, FEF25–75, and FEF50 were significantly lower among boilermakers compared with welders.
Conclusion Health screening programs for these workers are warranted. Am. J. Ind. Med. 34:381–386, 1998. © 1998 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
9 citations
01 Jan 1998
TL;DR: Among the three subgroups of workers, plumbers had the highest preva lence of radiographie changes and both plumbers and pipefitters showed higher odds ratios for cough and phlegm than the welders and no differences between groups were found for lung function.
Abstract: Objectives?A cross sectional study was undertaken to assess lung health among plumbers and pipefitters. Respiratory symptoms, lung function, and radio graphic changes among 99 actively em ployed plumbers and pipefitters with ^20 years of union membership were com pared with 100 telephone workers. Methods?A respiratory symptom ques tionnaire was administered, including smoking and occupational histories. Spirometry was conducted according to standard criteria. Posteroanterior chest radiographs were evaluated by two experi enced chest physicians, with a third arbitrating disagreed films. Members of the union were categorised as pipefitters (n=57), plumbers (n=16), or welders (n=26), based on longest service, and compared with the telephone workers and internally (between groups). Lung health was also compared with employment in several work sectors common to Alberta for time, and for time weighted by expo sure to dust and fumes. Results?Compared with the telephone workers, plumbers and pipefitters had more cough and phlegm, lower forced vital capacity, and more radiographie changes (20% with any change), including circumscribed (10%) and diffuse pleural thickening (9%). None of the plumbers and pipefitters had small radiographie opacities. Among the three subgroups of workers, plumbers had the highest preva lence of radiographie changes. Both plumbers and pipefitters showed higher odds ratios for cough and phlegm than the welders. No differences between groups were found for lung function. Indicators of lung health were not related to work in any