Abstract
Thirty firemen were studied with pulmonary function tests immediately after a severe smoke exposure and then one and a half and 18 months later in order to evaluate acute and chronic changes in their spirometry. The results were compared with predicted values and with those from a group of closely matched control subjects. We found no significant differences between the acute post-exposure spirometry values and those recorded at six weeks and 18 months later. A trend toward an increased rate of volume loss in the FVC and FEV1 was noted which is similar to other published observations. However, we did find a significant decrement in FVC compared with predicted value, and in FVC and FEV1 compared with control subjects. This is further evidence that firemen may develop lung disease related to their occupational exposure.
Full text
PDF
Images in this article
Selected References
These references are in PubMed. This may not be the complete list of references from this article.
- BRINKMAN G. L., COATES E. O., Jr The prevalence of chronic bronchitis in an industrial population. Am Rev Respir Dis. 1962 Jul;86:47–54. doi: 10.1164/arrd.1962.86.1.47. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Dyer R. F., Esch V. H. Polyvinyl chloride toxicity in fires. Hydrogen chloride toxicity in fire fighters. JAMA. 1976 Jan 26;235(4):393–397. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Kibelstis J. A., Morgan E. J., Reger R., Lapp N. L., Seaton A., Morgan W. K. Prevalence of bronchitis and airway obstruction in American bituminous coal miners. Am Rev Respir Dis. 1973 Oct;108(4):886–893. doi: 10.1164/arrd.1973.108.4.886. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Lapp N. L., Hankinson J. L., Burgess D. B., O'Brien R. Changes in ventilatory function in coal miners after a work shift. Arch Environ Health. 1972 Mar;24(3):204–208. doi: 10.1080/00039896.1972.10666070. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Morris J. F., Koski A., Johnson L. C. Spirometric standards for healthy nonsmoking adults. Am Rev Respir Dis. 1971 Jan;103(1):57–67. doi: 10.1164/arrd.1971.103.1.57. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Musk A. W., Peters J. M., Wegman D. H. Lung function in fire fighters, I: a three year follow-up of active subjects. Am J Public Health. 1977 Jul;67(7):626–629. doi: 10.2105/ajph.67.7.626. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Musk A. W., Petters J. M., Wegman D. H. Lung function in fire fighters, II: a five year follow-up fo retirees. Am J Public Health. 1977 Jul;67(7):630–633. doi: 10.2105/ajph.67.7.630. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Musk A. W., Smith T. J., Peters J. M., McLaughlin E. Pulmonary function in firefighters: acute changes in ventilatory capacity and their correlates. Br J Ind Med. 1979 Feb;36(1):29–34. doi: 10.1136/oem.36.1.29. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Peters J. M., Theriault G. P., Fine L. J., Wegman D. H. Chronic effect of fire fighting on pulmonary function. N Engl J Med. 1974 Dec 19;291(25):1320–1322. doi: 10.1056/NEJM197412192912502. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Sidor R., Peters J. M. Prevalence rates of chronic non-specific respiratory disease in fire fighters. Am Rev Respir Dis. 1974 Feb;109(2):255–261. doi: 10.1164/arrd.1974.109.2.255. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Tashkin D. P., Genovesi M. G., Chopra S., Coulson A., Simmons M. Respiratory status of Los Angeles firemen. One-month follow-up after inhalation of dense smoke. Chest. 1977 Apr;71(4):445–449. doi: 10.1378/chest.71.4.445. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Walker D. D., Archibald R. M., Attfield M. D. Bronchitis in men employed in the coke industry. Br J Ind Med. 1971 Oct;28(4):358–363. doi: 10.1136/oem.28.4.358. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]