Jul 2026· National Medical Journal of India· Vol 39 5, pp.
315-324
· 0 citations· 63 references
Medicine
TL;DR
Evidence from this review suggests that wood dust-exposed workers have a reduced FEV1, FVC, and PEFR, indicating obstructive and restrictive patterns, and there is a need for workplace dust control measures and personal protective equipment to prevent lung function impairment among wood industry workers.
Abstract
Background Occupational wood dust exposure has been implicated in reduced lung function. Owing to varied estimates from studies, a systematic review was done to evaluate the association between occupational wood dust exposure and decline in lung function. Methods This systematic review has been conducted and reported according to Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. The PubMed and Google Scholar databases were screened. Data were extracted from eligible studies and were considered for qualitative and quantitative synthesis. Results The qualitative synthesis included 55 studies. Eligible studies were pooled using random-effects meta-analysis, and high heterogeneity was noted between studies with I2>95%. Workers exposed to wood dust showed significant reduction in lung function measures, including forced expiratory volume 1 percentage predicted (pooled mean difference [MD] -8.57; 95% CI -12.07 to -5.08; 16 studies), forced vital capacity (FVC) percentage predicted (pooled MD-7.43; 95% CI -11.35 to -3.51; 14 studies), and peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR) percentage predicted (pooled MD -13.43; 95% CI -25.14 to -1.72; 9 studies). Funnel plot indicated greater chances for publication bias among studies included in the meta-analysis. Sawmill workers were likely to have obstructive lung function patterns compared to furniture industry workers, who present with a restrictive pattern. Conclusion Evidence from this review suggests that wood dust-exposed workers have a reduced FEV1, FVC, and PEFR, indicating obstructive and restrictive patterns. There is a need for workplace dust control measures and personal protective equipment to prevent lung function impairment among wood industry workers.
The increased risk after adjustment for smoking and the suggestion of a dose-response, are consistent with the hypothesis of an association between benzene exposure and lung cancer risk.
M. S. Seyyedsalehi, Mattia Bonetti, Darshi Shah et al.· European Journal of Epidemio...· 0 citations
Cement manufacturing is a major contributor to industrial air pollution and releases particulate matter and toxic emissions, adversely affecting the respiratory health. Previous studies have reported respiratory impairment and its associated symptoms among exposed populations, yet the evidence remains inconsistent across occupational and residential settings. This systematic review and meta-analysis is aimed to quantify the association between exposure to cement factory emissions and respiratory health outcomes, including lung function impairment and respiratory symptoms, among occupationally and environmentally exposed populations.
A systematic search was conducted in PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science and Google scholar was conducted for studies published between January 2000 and December 2025. Observational studies assessing exposure to cement dust and respiratory outcomes among workers or nearby residents were included. Primary outcomes included Forced Expiratory Volume in one second (FEV
1
), Forced Vital Capacity (FVC), FEV
1
/FVC ratio, and respiratory symptoms. Random effects model was used to perform meta-analysis using standardized mean differences (SMDs) and risk differences (RDs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs).
A total of 18 studies were included. Exposure to cement factory dust was associated with significant reductions in FEV
1
(SMD = −0.71), FVC (SMD = −0.56), and FEV
1
/FVC ratio (SMD = −0.57). Chronic cough was significantly more common among exposed individuals, while other respiratory symptoms showed elevated but non-significant risks. Occupational exposure to cement dust exposure demonstrated greater FEV
1
impairment than residential exposure.
Cement factory emissions are significantly associated with impaired pulmonary function and increased respiratory morbidity, highlighting the need for improved occupational safety measures and environmental emission controls.
https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/view/CRD420251268913
, CRD420251268913.
Zahid Ali Khan, Alisalman Sheikh, Łukasz Afeltowicz et al.· Frontiers in Public Health· 0 citations
BACKGROUND
Emerging evidence suggests that lung function decline may be linked to cardiovascular disease (CVD), but this has not been synthesised to date. This review aims to synthesise the current evidence on accelerated lung function decline and cardiovascular outcomes.
METHODS
We systematically searched MEDLINE, Embase and PubMed from inception to May 2026 for studies evaluating longitudinal changes in lung function in adults in relation to CVD. Study quality was assessed using the Risk Of Bias In Non-randomised Studies of Exposure tool, and findings were synthesised narratively.
FINDINGS
Of 6772 studies identified from the search, 15 publications met the inclusion criteria: 12 general population cohorts, 2 occupational cohorts and 1 chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) cohort. In the general/occupational population, accelerated lung function decline was consistently associated with increased cardiovascular risk, with a uniformly positive directional trend and HRs ranging from 1.07 to 1.36 for forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV₁) and 1.06 to 1.33 for forced vital capacity. Similar trends were observed for CVD-related biomarkers, risk factors and subclinical cardiovascular phenotypes (eg, HRs 1.04-1.66 for accelerated FEV1 decline). Potential effect modifiers of these associations such as smoking were reported. However, the association between accelerated lung function decline and CVD mortality in the general population remains inconclusive. In two occupational cohorts, lung function decline was associated with higher CVD mortality risk (HRs 2.05-2.59).
INTERPRETATION
Dear Dinh,I have checked the proof and made the necessary changes. Would you like to review it before I submit it?Best regards,JiaxinIn ageing populations, tracking the rate of lung function decline may help identify not only those at risk of COPD but also those at risk of CVD.
Jia-Xin Li, Y. Qian, J. Perret et al.· Thorax· 0 citations
BACKGROUND
Occupational noise exposure may impair female reproductive health, but evidence on its association with menstrual disorders remains limited.
OBJECTIVE
This systematic review and meta-analysis evaluated the association between occupational noise exposure and menstrual disorders among female workers, providing evidence for future research and occupational health policy.
METHODS
Peer-reviewed studies published from January 1, 1995, to December 31, 2024, were searched in PubMed, Web of Science, CNKI, Wanfang, and VIP. Eligible studies examined occupational noise exposure and menstrual disorders in female workers. Data on study characteristics, exposure assessment, diagnostic criteria, menstrual outcomes, and effect estimates were extracted. Study quality was assessed using tools for cross-sectional and cohort studies. Meta-analyses were performed using odds ratios (ORs) or risk ratios (RRs), as appropriate, with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) and subgroup analyses were conducted by study design, noise level, diagnostic criteria, and industry type.
RESULTS
Twenty-two studies were included in the review, and 18 studies were included in the meta-analysis. All were conducted in China, mostly in textile-related settings. Occupational noise exposure was significantly associated with menstrual disorders among female workers (OR = 3.27, 95% CI: 2.50-4.29, P < 0.01), including dysmenorrhea (RR = 1.76, 95% CI: 1.58-1.95), menstrual cycle irregularities (OR = 3.54, 95% CI: 2.54-4.94), abnormal menstrual duration (OR = 3.29, 95% CI: 1.65-6.59), and abnormal menstrual flow (OR = 2.52, 95% CI: 1.74-3.66). Higher noise levels, especially ≥90 dB(A), longer exposure duration, and nonsteady or impulsive noise may further increase risk. Substantial heterogeneity was observed.
CONCLUSION
Occupational noise exposure may increase the risk of menstrual disorders among female workers. However, evidence is limited by observational designs, heterogeneous exposure and diagnostic methods, inadequate control for confounders, and a concentration in Chinese textile-related settings. Prospective multicenter studies with standardized criteria, objective noise assessment, and rigorous adjustment for confounders are needed.
Xiao-Han Li, Yuwen Huang, Zhong-Hao Wang et al.· Noise and Health· 0 citations
The findings demonstrated a consistent association between NO₂ exposure and an increased risk of hypertension, particularly in poorly ventilated work environments, and underscore the importance of improving workplace air quality management, strengthening exposure monitoring, and implementing preventive occupational health strategies.
Ayudhia Rachmawati, Morrin Choirunnisa Thohira, M. Fitrah et al.· International Journal of Pub...· 0 citations
Evidence suggests a possible modest association between long-term PM2.5 exposure and VTE; however, considerable between-study variability and sensitivity to exposure harmonization limit definitive conclusions.
M. C. Correa Lara, J. G. Chávez, E. Hernández· Thrombosis and Haemostasis· 0 citations
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