CHRONIC-BRONCHITIS AND DECREASED FORCED EXPIRATORY FLOW-RATES IN LIFETIME NONSMOKING GRAIN WORKERS

Abstract

To determine whether clinical symptoms and pulmonary function abnormalities were more common in lifetime nonsmoking grain elevator workers exposed to grain dust than in lifetime nonsmoking community control subjects who were not occupationally exposed to dust, an occupational health questionnaire, spirometric variables and flow-volume curves on 90 lifetime nonsmoking grain workers and 90 lifetime nonsmoking community control subjects were obtained. For these groups the prevalence of chronic bronchitis, defined as daily production of phlegm for 3 mo./yr for at least 2 yr, was calculated. The prevalence of chronic bronchitis was higher in nonsmoking workers (23.1%) than in nonsmoking control subjects (3.3%) (P < 0.01). Nonsmoking grain workers had lower mean values than did nonsmoking control subjects for maximal mid-expiratory flow rate (P < 0.01) and for maximal expiratory flow at 50% of vital capacity (P < 0.01). Exposure to grain dust in lifetime nonsmoking grain workers is associated with an increased prevalence of chronic bronchitis and evidence of airflow obstruction.