Non-Malignant Respiratory Illnesses in Association with Occupational Exposure to Asbestos and Other Insulating Materials: Findings from the Alberta Insulator Cohort

Subhabrata Moitra, Ali Farshchi Tabrizi, Kawtar Idrissi Machichi, Samineh Kamravaei, Noushin Miandashti, Linda Henderson, Manali Mukherjee, Fadi Khadour, Muhammad T. Naseem, Paige Lacy and Lyle Melenka
Additional contact information
Subhabrata Moitra: Alberta Respiratory Centre, Department of Medicine, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2R3, Canada
Ali Farshchi Tabrizi: Alberta Respiratory Centre, Department of Medicine, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2R3, Canada
Kawtar Idrissi Machichi: Alberta Respiratory Centre, Department of Medicine, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2R3, Canada
Samineh Kamravaei: Alberta Respiratory Centre, Department of Medicine, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2R3, Canada
Noushin Miandashti: Alberta Respiratory Centre, Department of Medicine, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2R3, Canada
Linda Henderson: Synergy Respiratory & Cardiac Care, Sherwood Park, AB T8H 0N2, Canada
Manali Mukherjee: Department of Medicine, McMaster University & Firestone Institute for Respiratory Health, St. Joseph’s Healthcare, Hamilton, ON L8N 4A6, Canada
Fadi Khadour: Synergy Respiratory & Cardiac Care, Sherwood Park, AB T8H 0N2, Canada
Muhammad T. Naseem: Synergy Respiratory & Cardiac Care, Sherwood Park, AB T8H 0N2, Canada
Paige Lacy: Alberta Respiratory Centre, Department of Medicine, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2R3, Canada
Lyle Melenka: Alberta Respiratory Centre, Department of Medicine, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2R3, Canada

IJERPH, 2020, vol. 17, issue 19, 1-12

Abstract: Many insulating materials are used in construction, although few have been reported to cause non-malignant respiratory illnesses. We aimed to investigate associations between exposures to insulating materials and non-malignant respiratory illnesses in insulators. In this cross-sectional study, 990 insulators (45 ± 14 years) were screened from 2011–2017 in Alberta. All participants underwent pulmonary function tests and chest radiography. Demographics, work history, and history of chest infections were obtained through questionnaires. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) was diagnosed according to established guidelines. Associations between exposures and respiratory illnesses were assessed by modified Poisson regression. Of those screened, 875 (88%) were males. 457 (46%) participants reported having ≥ 1 chest infection in the past 3 years, while 156 (16%) were diagnosed with COPD. In multivariate models, all materials (asbestos, calcium silicate, carbon fibers, fiberglass, and refractory ceramic fibers) except aerogels and mineral fibers were associated with recurrent chest infections (prevalence ratio [PR] range: 1.18–1.42). Only asbestos was associated with COPD (PR: 1.44; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.01, 2.05). Therefore, occupational exposure to insulating materials was associated with non-malignant respiratory illnesses, specifically, recurrent chest infections and COPD. Longitudinal studies are urgently needed to assess the risk of exposure to these newly implemented insulation materials.

Keywords: insulation materials; inhaled particles; asbestos; pulmonary function tests; occupational health (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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