Table 5

Associations between reported lifetime occupational exposure to dust, gases or fumes and lung function (N = 497)


Ever exposed
Exposure duration <15 years
Exposure duration ≥ 15 years

Exposure to dust, fumes or gases (n)
268 (54%)
136 (27%)
132 (27%)
FEV1 (mL)‡
-33 (-117 to 51)
+3 (-95 to 100)
-80 (-186 to 26)
FEV1 to FVC ratio (%)‡
-1.1 (-2.3 to 0.1)
-0.6 (-2.1 to 0.8)
-1.7 (-3.3 to -0.2)
MMEF (mL/s)‡
-57 (-237 to 124)
+13 (-192 to 218)
-163 (-397 to 71)

‡ Linear regression coefficients (95% confidence intervals) denote mean differences in lung function parameters between exposed and never exposed individuals (n = 229); adjusted for sex, age, height and smoking status

Jaén et al. Environmental Health: A Global Access Science Source 2006 5:2   doi:10.1186/1476-069X-5-2