Respiratory disease in aggregate quarry workers related to risk factors and Pi phenotype

Objective: To evaluate the respiratory health and its relationship with exposure to silica, smoking, alpha1-antithypsin, and Pi phenotype in aggregate quarries workers. Methods: In a prevalence study, 378 subjects were studied, x-ray opacities and pulmonary function was analyzed in relation to cumulative dust exposure, smoking, alpha1-antitrypsin, and Pi phenotype. Results: The adjusted odds ratio (OR) of round opacities (greater than or equal to0/1) was significantly related to smoking (P < 0.001). The predicted forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1) percentage had a negative relationship with the product dust pack-years (P = 0.005). The OR of FEV1 < 90% was 3.03 for smokers exposed to dust versus nonexposed nonsmokers (P = 0.049). The criteria for dust-tobacco interaction are satisfied. A subgroup with the highest level of alpha1-antitypsin presented more opacities and worse pulmonary function. Conclusions: Radiologic alterations are found in relation to tobacco. The FEV1 has a negative relation with the product dust-tobacco. No alterations related to Pi phenotype are found. A subgroup with the highest alpha(1)-antitrypsin levels had more radiologic alterations and worse function.