Gas and dust exposure in underground construction is associated with signs of airway inflammation

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Abstract

Exposure to gases and dust may induce airway inflammation. It was hypothesized that heavy construction workers who had been exposed to dust and gases in underground construction work for 1 yr, would have early signs of upper and lower airway inflammation, as compared to outdoor workers. A study group comprising 29 nonsmoking underground concrete workers (mean±SD age 44±12 yrs), and a reference group of 26 outdoor concrete workers (39±12 yrs) were examined by acoustic rhinometry, nasal and exhaled nitric oxide spirometry and a questionnaire on respiratory symptoms. Exposure measurements were carried out. The underground workers had higher exposure to total and respirable dust, α-quartz and nitrogen dioxide than the references (p<0.001). The occurrence of respiratory symptoms was higher in the underground workers than in the references (p<0.05). Exhaled nitric oxide (NO) (geometric mean±SEM) was higher in the underground workers than in the references (8.4±1.09 versus 5.6±1.07 parts per billion (ppb), p=0.001), whereas spirometric values were comparable. The underground workers had smaller nasal cross-sectional area and volume than the references, and more pronounced increases after decongestion (p<0.001). To conclude the exposure in underground construction may cause nasal mucosal swelling and increased levels of exhaled nitric oxide, indicating signs of upper and lower airway inflammation.

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APA

Ulvestad, B., Lund, M. B., Bakke, B., Djupesland, P. G., Kongerud, J., & Boe, J. (2001). Gas and dust exposure in underground construction is associated with signs of airway inflammation. European Respiratory Journal, 17(3), 416–421. https://doi.org/10.1183/09031936.01.17304160

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