Respiratory function in a group of railway car repair workers
Menegozzo, M.; Bruno, C.; Di Cintio, P.; Orria, C.; Di Liello, L.
La Medicina del Lavoro 87(1): 35-43
1996
ISSN/ISBN: 0025-7818 PMID: 8699980 Document Number: 460313
A study was performed on respiratory function in 875 railways workers employed in an Italian Railways repair workshop, formerly exposed to asbestos. Workers were interviewed on personal and occupational histories and personal habits. They underwent physical examination and spirometry. Analysis of covariance was performed for FVC, FEV1/FVC, and FEF25-75%. FEV1/FVC and FEF25-75% were reduced in the most heavily exposed group. No reduction in the FVC corrected mean value was found in the exposed workers but an interaction between age and smoking was observed in the most exposed group.