INTRODUCTION Volatile chemicals have been associated with quantitative olfactory disorders (QOD). To investigate whether exposure to phenolic resins (PRs) is associated with olfactory impairment, a cross-sectional study of self-reported olfactory impairment (SROI) was performed in 66 occupationally exposed subjects. METHODS The workers (n=66, M=45;F=21; mean age: 39.810.15 years; exposure length: 7.296.52) were divided in three exposure group (high exposure, low exposure, not exposed) on the basis of biological exposure indices (BEIs) for urinary phenols. All subjects underwent medical interviews and physical examinations. Whether sense of smell has been normal or abnormal during the last 2 months was asked: the participants were eventually divided into normosmic, hypos- mic, hyperosmic. Multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to identify its risk factors. RESULTS Prevalence of SROI was 45.5%, with 21 workers (31.8%) complaining hyposmia, 12 (18.2%) anosmia and 9 (13.6%) hyperosmia. In univariate analyses, female sex was associated with SROI and hyperosmia. High exposure workers showed more frequenlty SROI (OR = 4.714;95%CI = 1.077-20.626) than not exposed (reference) or low exposed (OR = 1.333;95%CI = 0.416-4.274). In multivariate analyses, female sex (adjOR = 5.622;95%CI = 1.525-20.722) was the main risk factor for SROI and hyperosmia (adjOR=25.143;95%CI=2.379-265.7) but high exposure to phenol (adjOR = 11.133;95% = 1.060-116.9) was the main risk factors for self reported anosmia. CONCLUSIONS The present study found slight evidence among a cross- section of chemical industry workers that exposure to phenol may be associated with SROI. On the other hand, self reporting of QOD may be biased from personal factors and further researches with objective measurement are therefore required. KEY MESSAGES Not only formaldehyde but also phenol exposure is associated with olfactory impairment Olfactory impairment should be more strictly evaluated in occupational settings
Self reported olfactory disorders and occupational exposure to phenolic resins / Ricco, M; Cattani, S; Pezzetti, Federica; Pistelli, E; Signorelli, Carlo. - In: EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF PUBLIC HEALTH. - ISSN 1101-1262. - 25:(2015), pp. 159-159. (Intervento presentato al convegno 8th European Public Health Conference tenutosi a Milano nel 14-17 Ottobre 2015).
Self reported olfactory disorders and occupational exposure to phenolic resins
PEZZETTI, Federica;SIGNORELLI, Carlo
2015-01-01
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Volatile chemicals have been associated with quantitative olfactory disorders (QOD). To investigate whether exposure to phenolic resins (PRs) is associated with olfactory impairment, a cross-sectional study of self-reported olfactory impairment (SROI) was performed in 66 occupationally exposed subjects. METHODS The workers (n=66, M=45;F=21; mean age: 39.810.15 years; exposure length: 7.296.52) were divided in three exposure group (high exposure, low exposure, not exposed) on the basis of biological exposure indices (BEIs) for urinary phenols. All subjects underwent medical interviews and physical examinations. Whether sense of smell has been normal or abnormal during the last 2 months was asked: the participants were eventually divided into normosmic, hypos- mic, hyperosmic. Multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to identify its risk factors. RESULTS Prevalence of SROI was 45.5%, with 21 workers (31.8%) complaining hyposmia, 12 (18.2%) anosmia and 9 (13.6%) hyperosmia. In univariate analyses, female sex was associated with SROI and hyperosmia. High exposure workers showed more frequenlty SROI (OR = 4.714;95%CI = 1.077-20.626) than not exposed (reference) or low exposed (OR = 1.333;95%CI = 0.416-4.274). In multivariate analyses, female sex (adjOR = 5.622;95%CI = 1.525-20.722) was the main risk factor for SROI and hyperosmia (adjOR=25.143;95%CI=2.379-265.7) but high exposure to phenol (adjOR = 11.133;95% = 1.060-116.9) was the main risk factors for self reported anosmia. CONCLUSIONS The present study found slight evidence among a cross- section of chemical industry workers that exposure to phenol may be associated with SROI. On the other hand, self reporting of QOD may be biased from personal factors and further researches with objective measurement are therefore required. KEY MESSAGES Not only formaldehyde but also phenol exposure is associated with olfactory impairment Olfactory impairment should be more strictly evaluated in occupational settingsI documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
