The Relation of Respiratory Symptoms and Ventilatory Function to Moderate Occupational Exposure in a General Population

Abstract

Data from the French PAARC (Pollution Atmosphérique et Affections Respiratoires Chroniques) study were used to assess the effect of a priori moderate occupational exposure to dust, gases or chemical fumes on the prevalance of respiratory symptoms and ventilatory function. In this community-based population, without households ‘headed’ by manual workers, 34% of the 8692 men and 23% of the 7772 women, 25–59 years of age, ever occupationally active, reported some exposure. The studied relationships were adjusted for age, height smoking habits, socio-occupational class, education and air pollution by logistic or linear regression methods. For men and women, some 50% increase (p1 and FEF_25–75% were not associated with occupational exposure. Among men, FEV₁/FVC and FEF_25–75%/FVC were significantly lower (p1/FVC in the subgroup with a history of asthma or wheezing. Results suggest that occupational exposures of relatively low intensity, encountered in the nonindustrial work places may constitute a non-negligeable risk for respiratory health.