A Survey of the Health Effect of Continuous Filament Glass Fibre on Long-Term Exposed Workers

A survey of the health effects of glass fibres on long-term exposed workers in a glass fibre manufacturing plant in Shanghai has been carried out including studies of workplace dust levels, lung function tests on workers and mortality analysis. Workplace dust concentrations are lower than the Chinese standard. The means of all lung function indices show that the VC of 467 female workers is slightly higher, and the FEV_1.0% and V₇₅ are lower, than the controls. Other indices show no significant differences from the controls. Mortality analysis shows that malignant tumours are the primary cause of death, but compared with the population of Nanshi District, no significant difference was found except that breast cancer showed a significant increase (467 = PMR, P<0.0l) in female workers exposed to glass fibre. The authors conclude that no major adverse health effect on the respiratory system has been demonstrated in long-term employees working in the manufacture of continuous filament glass fibre.