Respiratory Health and Inflammatory Markers-Exposure to Cobalt in the Swedish Hard Metal Industry.

Objective: To study the relationship between inhalable dust and cobalt, and respiratory symptoms, lung function, exhaled nitric oxide in expired air, and CC16 in the Swedish hard metal industry.

Methods: Personal sampling of inhalable dust and cobalt, and medical examination including blood sampling was performed for 72 workers. Exposure-response relationships were determined using logistic, linear, and mixed-model analysis.

Respiratory health and inflammatory markers - Exposure to respirable dust and quartz and chemical binders in Swedish iron foundries.

Purpose: To study the relationship between respirable dust, quartz and chemical binders in Swedish iron foundries and respiratory symptoms, lung function (as forced expiratory volume FEV1 and vital capacity FVC), fraction of exhaled nitric oxide (FENO) and levels of club cell secretory protein 16 (CC16) and CRP.

Methods: Personal sampling of respirable dust and quartz was performed for 85 subjects in three Swedish iron foundries. Full shift sampling and examination were performed on the second or third day of a working week after a work free weekend, with additional sampling on the fourth or fifth day.

Inflammatory and coagulatory markers and exposure to different size fractions of particle mass, number and surface area air concentrations in Swedish iron foundries, in particular respirable quartz.

Purpose: To study the relationship between inhalation of airborne particles and quartz in Swedish iron foundries and markers of inflammation and coagulation in blood.

Methods: Personal sampling of respirable dust and quartz was performed for 85 subjects in three Swedish iron foundries. Stationary measurements were used to study the concentrations of respirable dust and quartz, inhalable and total dust, PM10 and PM2.