Angina pectoris, ECG findings and blood pressure of foundry workers in relation to carbon monoxide exposure.

Abstract

Angina pectoris, ECG findings and blood pressure of foundry workers in relation to carbon monoxide exposure. by Hernberg S, Kärävä R, Koskela R-S, Luoma KThe following article refers to this text: 1989;15(4) 2 (1976): supp!. 1, 54--63. A prevalence study on angina pectoris, ECG changes, and blood pressure was carried out with those 1,000 workers (response rate 93.1 0/0) with the longest exposure time (minimum 4.2 years) from a statistical sample of 20 foundries. The history of angina was obt ained from a questionnaire recommended by the World Health Organization, and the ECGs were coded according to the Minnesota code. On the basis of measurements of the concentration of carbon monoxide (CO) in the air, the workers were divided into three occupational exposure groups, one with definite CO exposure, one with slight or occasional CO exposure, and one without CO exposure. Allowance was also made for present and past smoking habits. All comparisons were made on an intrasiudy basis between the different subcategories. The prevalence of angina showed a clear dose-response relationship with regard to CO exposure from either occupation, smoking, or both, but no such trend was found for ECG findings suggestive of CHD. These results may suggest a greater sensitivity in detecting CHD on the part of the angina questionnaire. The systolic and diastolic blood pressures of CO exposed workers were slightly higher than those of other workers when age and smoking habits were taken into consideration. However, exposure to heat was intermixed with exposure to CO. It could be shown that selection based on health had operated in the foundries. Hence, the prevalence found can be considered to be underestimates of the "true" occurrence of cardiac disorders. Nevertheless both angina and "coron:-ry" ECG findings were more prevalent than in other methodologically comparable studies on the general population or industrial workers without toxic exposure.

Cardiovascular diseases and the work environment. A critical review of the epidemiologic literature on chemical factors.

“…The best support for the hypothesis of a relation between chronic carbon monoxide exposure and the development of atherosclerosis comes from three positive studies with "xxx" or "xxxx" for quality (201,208,209). A closer examination shows , however, that not even these studies support the hypothesis very clearly.…”

“…A closer examination shows , however, that not even these studies support the hypothesis very clearly. The cross-sectional stud y by Hernb erg et al (201) on angina pectoris, electrocardiographic findings, and blood pressure among foundry wor kers found a relationship between carbon monoxide exposure and angina pectoris but not between car bon monoxide and electrocardiographic findings indicating IHO . Furthermore , slightly higher blood pressure was found amon g the person s exposed to carbon monoxide, but this finding could have possibly resulted from exposure to heat radiation.…”

A mortality study of foundry workers.

“…In all, follow-up was successful for 98. 7 Ofo of the cohort. The proportion of persons who were lost is shown in table 1.…”

Mortality among retired fur workers. Dyers, dressers (tanners) and service workers.

“…SMR values for cardiovascular disease in other occupational cohorts of normal retirees are typically not elevated (5,6,12,29). Furthermore, occupational exposures usually associated with increased risk of cardiovascular disease or sudden deaths due to cardiac failure , such as carbon disulfide (41), carbon monoxide (16), nitroglycerin (21), fluorocarbon aerosol propellants, freon, and halogenated hydrocarbons (33), are not suspected of being present to any great extent in the work environment of the fur service worker. The primary personal risk factors of cardiovascular disease, obesity, hypertension, diabetes, cigarette smoking, and family history of cardiovascular disease could not be evaluated with these data.…”