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Cross-sectional study on respiratory effect of toner-exposed work in manufacturing plants, Japan: pulmonary function, blood cells, and biochemical markers

Institute of industrial and Ecological Sciences, University of occupational and Environmental Health, Japan, Kitakyusyu, Japan, h-kita{at}med.uoeh-u.ac.jp

N. Terunuma

Institute of industrial and Ecological Sciences, University of occupational and Environmental Health, Japan, Kitakyusyu, Japan

S. Kurosaki

Institute of industrial and Ecological Sciences, University of occupational and Environmental Health, Japan, Kitakyusyu, Japan

K. Hata

Institute of industrial and Ecological Sciences, University of occupational and Environmental Health, Japan, Kitakyusyu, Japan

R. Ide

Institute of industrial and Ecological Sciences, University of occupational and Environmental Health, Japan, Kitakyusyu, Japan

H. Kuga

Institute of industrial and Ecological Sciences, University of occupational and Environmental Health, Japan, Kitakyusyu, Japan

N. Kakiuchi

Institute of industrial and Ecological Sciences, University of occupational and Environmental Health, Japan, Kitakyusyu, Japan

M. Masuda

Institute of industrial and Ecological Sciences, University of occupational and Environmental Health, Japan, Kitakyusyu, Japan

T. Totsuzaki

Institute of industrial and Ecological Sciences, University of occupational and Environmental Health, Japan, Kitakyusyu, Japan

A. Osato

Institute of industrial and Ecological Sciences, University of occupational and Environmental Health, Japan, Kitakyusyu, Japan

B. Uchino

Institute of industrial and Ecological Sciences, University of occupational and Environmental Health, Japan, Kitakyusyu, Japan

K. Kitahara

Institute of industrial and Ecological Sciences, University of occupational and Environmental Health, Japan, Kitakyusyu, Japan

A. Iwasaki

Institute of industrial and Ecological Sciences, University of occupational and Environmental Health, Japan, Kitakyusyu, Japan

K. Yoshizumi

Institute of industrial and Ecological Sciences, University of occupational and Environmental Health, Japan, Kitakyusyu, Japan

Y. Morimoto

Institute of industrial and Ecological Sciences, University of occupational and Environmental Health, Japan, Kitakyusyu, Japan

H. Kasai

Institute of industrial and Ecological Sciences, University of occupational and Environmental Health, Japan, Kitakyusyu, Japan

T. Murase

Tokai University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan

T. Higashi

Institute of industrial and Ecological Sciences, University of occupational and Environmental Health, Japan, Kitakyusyu, Japan

The aim of the study is to examine the relationship between toner-exposed work and health indices related to respiratory disorders and to confirm the baseline of a cohort study to clarify the effect of toner exposure in manufacturing plants. Subjects were 1614 male workers (809 toner-exposed workers and 805 referents) who were engaged in toner manufacturing plants in Japan (Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd). The age of subjects was from 19 to 59 years, and the average age was 40.2 years(median 40 years, SD 7.67). We conducted a pulmonary function test (PEFR, VC, FVC, FEV_1.0%, V25/Ht) and a blood cell test (RBC, Hb, Hct, Plt, WBC, cell contents of WBC) and measured biochemical indices in blood (ALT, AST, -GTP, CRP, IgE) and 8-hydroxy-2’-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) in urine. Student t-test and logistic regression analysis were applied to compare between the toner-exposed workers and the referents and to analyze the relationship among indices of effects and independent factors. There was no significant difference between the two groups in blood cell count and biochemical indices. Inflammation- and allergy-related markers such as 8OHdG and IgE also showed no significant difference between toner-exposed workers and the referents. The influence of smoking on pulmonary function indices was observed, but there was no relationship between the pulmonary function and toner-exposed work. In this article, we report a preliminary cross-sectional analysis in the subjects of a cohort study. No difference in pulmonary function indices was observed between the toner-exposed workers and the referents, and there was no consistent relationship between the exposure status and examined indices; however, the prevalence of subjective respiratory symptoms was higher in the exposed workers as presented in another report. Further analysis is important in the ongoing cohort study to clarify the effect of toner exposure on respiratory systems.

Key Words: pulmonary function • respiratory health • toner dust

Human & Experimental Toxicology, Vol. 28, No. 6-7, 331-338 (2009)
DOI: 10.1177/0960327109105152


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