ALUMINUM-INDUSTRY
ALUMINUM-EXPOSURE
BRONCHIAL-ASTHMA

BRONCHIAL RESPONSIVENESS DECREASES IN RELOCATED ALUMINUM POTROOM WORKERS COMPARED TO WORKERS WHO CONTINUE THEIR POTROOM EXPOSURE

Aluminum potroom workers who had been diagnosed with occupational asthma participated in a 2 year study to estimate the monthly change in bronchial responsiveness (BR) in those who were relocated to less polluted or nonpolluted jobs. Twelve workers were relocated to a new job. A reference group of 26 occupationally asthmatic workers remained in their original work environments. Improvement in BR was demonstrated in both the reference and index groups, although the rate of improvement in the relocated group was greater. It was estimated that 49% of the improvement in the BR of the index group could be explained by their relocation. No improvement in lung function was observed in either group.

International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health, 67(1):53-57, 1995. (21 references)

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