OCCUPATIONAL ISSUES

Pulmonary Effects of Hydrogen Sulphide Exposures in Gas and Oil Workers

The development of consensus statements regarding the management of asthma permitted an assessment of the effectiveness of the implementation of a care map in the emergency department. Baseline data were obtained from five emergency departments in the Edmonton region, including the number of pediatric asthma patients seen, average length of time spent in the emergency department, return visits to the emergency department and hospital admissions from the emergency department. Following the baseline phase, the care map was introduced into two of the emergency departments. The outcome measures noted above were measured after implementation. The initial findings were that acceptance of the care map was not immediate or universal in the intervention hospitals. The percent of pediatric patients admitted from the emergency department did not change significantly following the introduction of the care map. Data analysis on other outcome measures is continuing. The study was funded by the Health Services Research and Innovation Fund.

Occupational Exposures in the Oil and Gas Industry

This study of oil and gas workers in west-central Alberta was carried out to determine whether exposure to hydrogen sulphide was associated with lung function abnormalities or respiratory symptoms. Results indicate potential problems in workers who suffer severe exposures to hydrogen sulphide. The study was funded by the Alberta Occupational Health and Safety Heritage Grant Program.

Lung Health in Sawmill Workers

Lung function suggestive of airways obstruction was found more commonly among a group of approximately 100 sawmill workers than in a comparison group of other workers. Both the FEV1 and the FEV1/FVC were significantly lower, after adjustment for age, height, and smoking. The largest differences were for current smokers. A variety of respiratory symptoms showed excesses in sawmill workers. This included symptoms suggestive of chronic bronchitis (i.e., cough and phlegm) as well as symptoms suggestive of asthma. There was a non-significant excess of asthma among sawmill workers. The primary woods used in the sawmill were spruce and pine. The study was funded by the Alberta Occupational Health and Safety Heritage Grant Program.

Respiratory Health Effects in Oriented Stand Board Workers

Oriented strand board is an increasingly popular building material made by heating and compressing strands of local balsam/poplar with binding agents that may include phenol formaldehyde and isocyanates. Two plants producing oriented strand board were studied. One of these plants used phenol formaldehyde only, while the other used a combination of phenol formaldehyde and methylene diisocyanate. In the first plant, lung function was comparable to that observed in a comparison group of workers, but significant excesses of respiratory symptoms were seen for the workers in the oriented strand board plant. Workers in the second plant had significant excesses of several respiratory symptoms consistent with airway reactivity, and had significantly lower lung function, suggestive of airways obstruction. The study was funded by the Alberta Occupational Health and Safety Heritage Grant Program.

Lung Health in Alberta Construction Workers

The lung health of three groups of construction workers (viz, electricians, plumbers and pipefitters, and boilermakers) was compared to a group of telephone workers. Testing included spirometry, a respiratory symptom questionnaire (that incorporated a smoking history and a work history), and an x-ray of the chest. Approximately 100 workers with at least 20 years of employment in the industry were included for each group (total of approximately 400 workers). Data analysis and x-ray interpretation is underway at present. The study was funded by the Alberta Building and Construction trades Council and the Workers' Compensation Board.