A Case-Control Study of Airways Obstruction Among Construction Workers

作者：Dement John; Welch Laura; Ringen Knut; Quinn Patricia; Chen Anna; Haas Scott

来源：American Journal of Industrial Medicine, 2015, 58(10): 1083-1097.

DOI：10.1002/ajim.22495

• COPD
• construction workers
• occupational risks
• vapors
• gasses
• dusts
• fumes
• smoking
• attributable risk

Background While smoking is the major cause of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), occupational exposures to vapors, gases, dusts, and fumes (VGDF) increase COPD risk. This case-control study estimated the risk of COPD attributable to occupational exposures among construction workers.
Methods The study population included 834 cases and 1243 controls participating in a national medical screening program for older construction workers between 1997 and 2013. Qualitative exposure indices were developed based on lifetime work and exposure histories.
Results Approximately 18% (95% CI = 2-24%) of COPD risk can be attributed to construction-related exposures, which are additive to the risk contributed by smoking. A measure of all VGDF exposures combined was a strong predictor of COPD risk.
Conclusions Construction workers are at increased risk of COPD as a result of broad and complex effects of many exposures acting independently or interactively. Control methods should be implemented to prevent worker exposures, and smoking cessation should be promoted.

• 出版日期2015-10