Relationship between jute dust exposure level and pulmonary function injury

  Objective   To analyze the relationship between jute dust exposure level and pulmonary function injury.

  Methods   Pulmonary function tests were carried out and analyzed on 488 jute-exposed workers in a jute mill and 332 control workers.

  Results   Percentage predicted values of pulmonary function tests were significantly reduced with the increase of dose of dust exposure(P < 0.05 or P < 0.01).Abnormal rate of pulmonary function tests was significantly increased as the cumulative dose of dust exposure increased(P < 0.05 or P < 0.01).The degree of pulmonary function injury trended increase with the increase of dose of dust exposure. According to dose-response relationship, a linear regression equiation for the cumulative abnormal prevalence of pulmonary function and the cumulative dose of dust exposure was estabilished by the lifetable method.

  Conclusion   There was a dose-response relationship between jute dust exposure level and pulmonary function injury. The feasible exposure limit of jute dust was 4 mg/m³.