Respiratory Dysfunction Eight Years after Potroom Asthma

Results are reported from follow-up examination 6–9 years (average 8.3 years) after cessation of exposure, in 28 men who developed work-related bronchial asthma (potroom asthma) in a primary aluminium production plant, after exposure to strong respiratory irritants in the potroom atmosphere. Compared to exposed (other potroom workers) and non-exposed (non-potroom workers) controls from the same plant in a 1:3 matched analysis, the potroom-asthma patients had increased relative risk of self reported chest tightness (RR = 12.9, CL 95% = 3.9–42.5), wheezing (RR = 22.1, CL 95% = 5.1–96.3) and cough (RR = 8.4, CL 95% =2.2–31.9), and of reduced spirometric values measuring expiratory flow: FEV₁ <70% of predicted (RR = 9.0, CL 95% = 1.4–58.1). Two cases were using a bronchodilator inhaler due to persistent asthmatic symptoms.