Longitudinal analysis of respiratory outcomes among bauxite exposed workers in western Australia. Issue 8 (15th June 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Dennekamp, Martine; de Klerk, Nicholas Hubert; Reid, Alison; Abramson, Michael John; Cui, Jisheng; Del Monaco, Anthony; Fritschi, Lin; Benke, Geza Paul; Sim, Malcolm Ross; Musk, Arthur William; Welch, Laura; Baker, Robin
• Is Part Of: American journal of industrial medicine. Volume 58:Issue 8(2015:Aug.)
• Page Start: 897
• Page End: 904
• Publication Date: 2015-06-15
• Subjects: Medicine, Industrial -- Periodicals; Médecine du travail -- Périodiques; 616.9803
• DOI: 10.1002/ajim.22492
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0271-3586

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main" xml:lang="en"> <title> <x xml:space="preserve">Abstract</x> </title> <sec id="ajim22492-sec-0001" sec-type="section"> <title>Introduction</title> <p>Occupational exposure to bauxite is common in the aluminium industry but little is known about the associated health effects. This study investigates respiratory health in relation to respirable bauxite dust exposure longitudinally over a 13 year period.</p> </sec> <sec id="ajim22492-sec-0002" sec-type="section"> <title>Methods</title> <p>An inception cohort study recruited 91 male bauxite miners and 363 male alumina refinery workers. Annual measurements of respiratory symptoms and lung function were made. Cumulative exposure to bauxite was derived from job histories and air monitoring data. Mixed‐effects modeling was used.</p> </sec> <sec id="ajim22492-sec-0003" sec-type="section"> <title>Results</title> <p>No associations were found between cumulative bauxite exposure and respiratory symptoms or lung function. However, when analysis was restricted to the first three rounds, FEV<sub>1</sub> was significantly lower in all exposure groups than in those unexposed but with no significant trend.</p> </sec> <sec id="ajim22492-sec-0004" sec-type="section"> <title>Conclusion</title> <p>Increasing exposure to bauxite dust in the aluminum industry was not associated with respiratory symptoms or consistent decrements in lung function. Am. J. Ind. Med. 58:897–904, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.</p> </sec> </abstract>