Occupational exposure to solvents and lung function decline: A population based study.

Rationale: While cross-sectional studies have shown associations between certain occupational exposures and lower levels of lung function, there was little evidence from population-based studies with repeated lung function measurements.

Objectives: We aimed to investigate the associations between occupational exposures and longitudinal lung function decline in the population-based Tasmanian Longitudinal Health Study.

Methods: Lung function decline between ages 45 years and 50 years was assessed using data from 767 participants.

Occupational exposure to pesticides are associated with fixed airflow obstruction in middle-age.

Rationale: Population-based studies have found evidence of a relationship between occupational exposures and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), but these studies are limited by the use of prebronchodilator spirometry. Establishing this link using postbronchodilator is critical, because occupational exposures are a modifiable risk factor for COPD.

Objectives: To investigate the associations between occupational exposures and fixed airflow obstruction using postbronchodilator spirometry.