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Respiratory symptoms and lung function following exposure in workers exposed to soft paper tissue dust

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Summary

The objective of this study was to investigate if the dust in a mill producing soft paper tissue caused respiratory symptoms or impaired respiratory function. Using a questionnaire and spirometry, 355 persons were examined. They were divided into three groups according to present exposure to dust; low (< 1 mg/m3), moderate (1–5 mg/m3) and heavy (> 5 mg/m3). There was a dose-dependent increase of symptoms from the upper respiratory tract. However, coughing and coughing with phlegm were not found to be more common among persons with heavy exposure compared to those with low exposure to the dust. There was no difference in FEV, or FVC during a work shift. Persons with long-term (> 10 years) and heavy exposure to dust seemed to have impaired respiratory function compared to those with low and/or short-term exposure to the dust.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. WMP, Fack 12045, S-72012, Västerås, Sweden

    Jens Ericsson

  2. Department of Occupational Medicine, Sahlgren Hospital, S. t Sigfridsgatan 85, S-41266, Göteborg, Sweden

    Bengt Järvholm

  3. RNK Installationskonsult AB, Box 14046, S-40020, Göteborg, Sweden

    Fredrik Norin

Authors
  1. Jens Ericsson
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  2. Bengt Järvholm
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  3. Fredrik Norin
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Ericsson, J., Järvholm, B. & Norin, F. Respiratory symptoms and lung function following exposure in workers exposed to soft paper tissue dust. Int. Arch Occup Environ Heath 60, 341–345 (1988). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00405667

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00405667

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