Occupational wood dust exposure and lung function impairment: A systematic review and meta-analysis.
Manikandan Srinivasan, Mohammed Shoyaib Khazi, Akshaya Kolangaredath et al.
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In 30 seconds
This systematic review and meta-analysis assessed the association between occupational wood dust exposure and lung function. Its qualitative synthesis included 55 studies; eligible studies were pooled using random-effects models, with high between-study heterogeneity (I2>95%). Compared with unexposed workers, wood dust-exposed workers had lower lung function measures: pooled mean differences were -8.57 for FEV1 percentage predicted, -7.43 for FVC percentage predicted, and -13.43 for PEFR percentage predicted. The review also reported differing patterns by industry: obstructive patterns were more likely among sawmill workers, while furniture workers showed restrictive patterns.
Key findings
- FEV1 percentage predicted was lower in exposed workers (pooled MD -8.57; 95% CI -12.07 to -5.08; 16 studies).
- FVC percentage predicted was lower (pooled MD-7.43; 95% CI -11.35 to -3.51; 14 studies).
- PEFR percentage predicted was lower (pooled MD -13.43; 95% CI -25.14 to -1.72; 9 studies).
- Sawmill workers were more likely to show obstructive patterns, whereas furniture industry workers presented with restrictive patterns.
Why it matters
The pooled findings link occupational wood dust exposure with reductions across several measures of lung function, relevant to respiratory health in wood industry workers. The reported variation in patterns by industry may also matter when interpreting workforce lung function findings. However, substantial heterogeneity and possible publication bias mean the estimates should be interpreted cautiously.
What to keep in mind
Between-study heterogeneity was high (I2>95%), and funnel plot findings indicated greater chances of publication bias.