October/November 2014 (vol. 11/3)

ContentsFeaturesNewsLegal NewsResearch DigestResearch PlusCPD

Research Plus

Respirable quartz

A meta-analysis and systematic review finds a significant decline in respiratory function in workers exposed to respirable quartz dust (eg in quarrying and construction). Eight out of 10 included studies found significant reductions in both mean forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) and in the ratio of FEV1 to forced vital capacity (FVC) with increased occupational exposure to crystalline quartz. In the meta-analysis of six studies, mean FEV1 was reduced by 4.6% in dustexposed workers (confidence interval (CI) 2.1%

  1. Brüske I, Thiering E, et al. Respirable quartz dust exposure and airway obstruction: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Occupational and Environmental Medicine 2014; 71: 583–589. 

Tags

Occupational Health at Work October/November 2014 (vol. 11/3) pp44