No abstract

This study investigated the risk of lung cytological atypical changes in regards to occupational exposure to aluminum and iron. Detailed job histories were elicited from 130 incident cases with confirmed exposure to aluminum (50) or iron (80) and 157 population controls (nonexposed). Cytological atypia in sputum (dysplasia) was identified in four cases and none of controls (RR =10.8550; 95% CI = 0.5898 to 199.7815, P = 0.1086), hence, metaplasia was observed among 15 (11.5%) of the cases and 10 (6%) of controls (RR = 1.8115; 95% CI = 0.8424-3.8956; P = 0.1283). Evidences of viral infection were observed in 18 (14%) of the cases and 8 (5%) of controls (RR = 2.7173; 95% CI = 1.2213-6.0460; P = 0.0143). Moniliasis was observed in 28 (22%) of the cases and 19 (12%) of controls (RR = 1.6632; 95% CI = 0.9728-2.8435; P = 0.06). Cross-categorizations of aluminum exposure and iron use suggest greater risk associated with iron exposure than aluminum in these workers.