Publication: Cumulative Occupational Exposure Assessment for Mineral Dust Using Finnish Job-Exposure Matrix (FINJEM)
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Date
2014
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Abstract
Mineral dust is classified by International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) as carcinogenic to humans because it is thought to cause lung cancer. Studies show strong associations between asbestos or other mineral dusts (OMD) exposure and respiratory health risk. The aim of the study was to examine the relationship between airflow obstruction (AFO) and cumulative occupational exposure to mineral dust, using the Finnish Job Exposure Matrix (FINJEM), in a population historically at high risk of lung cancer. The quantitative estimation of cumulative exposure to asbestos and OMD were calculated using the FINJEM from the data obtained at the baseline assessment in the Wythenshawe Respiratory Health Study (WRHS). The study was a population-based observational cohort study comprises all patients, aged 50- 75, registered with a General Practitioner (GP) practices in Wythenshawe District, Manchester. Among 257 study subjects who were assessed at baseline, 165 (64.2%) reported that they have been exposed to any occupational hazards, 56 (21.8% subcohort exposed) to asbestos and 42 (16.3% subcohort exposed) to OMD. There was a significant positive correlation between occupational exposure to OMD (Pearson correlation coefficient, r = 0.47, p = 0.01). They were 5 times higher risk to get airflow obstruction among those who have been exposed to low level of asbestos compared to non-exposed, after adjustment for gender, age and smoking (adjusted Odds Ratio (aOR) = 5.76, 95% Confidence Interval (CI) = 1.37 – 24.1). However, no significant association was found between level of exposure to OMD and airflow obstruction. It is suggested that workplace exposure to mineral dusts is sufficient to produce measurable airflow obstruction evidence of occupational respiratory ill-health. The findings from this study supports the FINJEM could be used in epidemiological study and a potential cost-effective exposure assessment particularly in examining the relationship between cumulative occupational exposures with respiratory ill-health