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Work-related respiratory symptoms and lung function among solderers in the electronics industry: a meta-analysis. Environ Health Prev Med 2012 May;17(3):183-90

Date

09/01/2011

Pubmed ID

21879344

Pubmed Central ID

PMC3348243

DOI

10.1007/s12199-011-0236-8

Scopus ID

2-s2.0-84862898059 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site)   3 Citations

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: Research on the respiratory effect of exposure to solder fumes in electronics workers has been conducted since the 1970s, but has yielded inconsistent results. The aim of this meta-analysis was to clarify the potential association.

METHODS: Effect sizes with corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for odds of respiratory symptoms related to soldering and spirometric parameters of solderers were extracted from seven studies and pooled to generate summary estimates and standardized mean differences in lung function measures between exposed persons and controls.

RESULTS: Soldering was positively associated with wheeze after controlling for smoking (meta-odds ratio: 2.60, 95% CI: 1.46, 4.63) and with statistically significant reductions in forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1) (-0.88%, 95% CI: -1.51, -0.26), forced vital capacity (FVC) (-0.64%, 95% CI: -1.18, -0.10), and FEV1/FVC (-0.35%, 95% CI: -0.65, -0.05). However, lung function parameters of solderers were within normal ranges [pooled mean FEV1: 97.85 (as percent of predicted), 95% CI: 94.70, 100.95, pooled mean FVC: 94.92 (as percent of predicted), 95% CI: 81.21, 108.64, and pooled mean FEV1/FVC: 86.5 (as percent), 95% CI: 78.01, 94.98].

CONCLUSIONS: Soldering may be a risk factor for wheeze, but may not be associated with a clinically significant impairment of lung function among electronics workers.

Author List

Mendy A, Gasana J, Forno E, Vieira ER, Dowdye C

Author

Janvier Gasana MD, MPH, PhD Adjunct Associate Professor in the Institute for Health and Equity department at Medical College of Wisconsin




MESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold

Air Pollutants, Occupational
Asthma, Occupational
Electronics
Forced Expiratory Volume
Humans
Metallurgy
Occupational Exposure
Resins, Plant
Respiratory Sounds
Vital Capacity