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Workplace air quality and lung function among dental laboratory technicians
Author(s) -
Hu SuhWoan,
Lin YuhYih,
Wu TzuChin,
Hong ChunCheng,
Chan ChangChuan,
Lung ShihChun Candice
Publication year - 2006
Publication title -
american journal of industrial medicine
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.7
H-Index - 104
eISSN - 1097-0274
pISSN - 0271-3586
DOI - 10.1002/ajim.20249
Subject(s) - medicine , lung function , dental technician , aerodynamic diameter , dentistry , occupational exposure , particulates , pulmonary function testing , toxicology , lung , environmental health , ecology , biology
Background Dental laboratory technicians are exposed to dust and/or methyl methacrylate (MMA) in the workplace. Potential effects of the exposures on lung function merit further clarification. Methods This study measured lung function of 45 dental technicians, before and after shifts, on 3 workdays and monitored workplace concentrations of particulate matter with aerodynamic diameter less than 2.5 mm (PM 2.5 ) and MMA in five dental laboratories in Taiwan. Base metals in particles were analyzed by X‐ray fluorescence. Repeated measurement analysis was applied to estimate potential effects of PM 2.5 on pulmonary function. Results PM 2.5 ranged from 26 µg/m 3 to 664 µg/m 3 and levels of MMA were low in these laboratories. Nickel, cobalt, and chromium were detected in the particles. After controlling for important factors, PM 2.5 was associated with a small decrease in forced vital capacity and forced expiratory flow in one second. Conclusion Workplace PM 2.5 was associated with a non‐significant decrease in lung function of dental technicians. Am. J. Ind. Med., 2006. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.