Occupation and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in Minsk tractor plant workers.

Background: The aim of this study was to measure the association of exposure to dust at workplace with COPD using objective methods of exposure and outcome classification.

Methods: Forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV ) to forced vital capacity (FVC) <70%; FVC below LLN, and FEV below LLN from the annual screening of Minsk Tractor Plant workers (N = 458) were tested for predictors in an adjusted logistic regression model.

Results: In a regression model, adjusted for pack-years of smoking, age, sex, and work duration, work in highly exposed workplaces was associated with FEV /FVC<70% (odds ratio (OR) 2.