Occupational particulate exposure and lung function in middle age

<bold>Introduction:</bold> Occupational particulate exposure is associated with lung function decline and chronic lung disease. However, few studies have assessed the impact of occupational particle exposure on lung gas exchange. The aim of this study was to assess the associations between lifetime occupational particulate exposure to coal, silica, and diesel on lung function, including lung gas transfer capacity, in a middle-aged community cohort. <bold>Methods:</bold>This study utilised the Tasmanian Longitudinal Health Study (TAHS) (<italic>n</italic>=1179) (49% female and 51% male) aged 42.8 (±0.8) with lung function measurements and lifetime occupational data. Lung function measurements included FEV₁, FVC, FEV₁/FVC, and T_Lco. Cumulative lifetime exposures to coal, silica, and diesel were analysed using a job exposure matrix (FINJEM). Associations between occupational particulate exposures and lung function were assessed using regression analysis with adjustment for covariates identified <italic>a priori</italic> (sex, height, weight, asthma, smoking, and socioeconomic status). <bold>Results:</bold> No associations were found between T_Lco and exposure to coal (<italic>p</italic>=0.63), silica (<italic>p</italic>=0.92), or diesel (<italic>p</italic>=0.68). However, exposure to coal was associated with decreased FVC (<italic>p</italic>=0.02), while exposure to diesel was associated with reduced FEV₁ (<italic>p</italic>=0.02) and FVC (<italic>p</italic>=0.04). <bold>Conclusions:</bold> In this study, we did not observe an association between exposure to coal, silica, or diesel on lung gas exchange. However, observed reductions in FVC without any significant impact on FEV₁/FVC is consistent with previous reports of restrictive lung disease associated with coal exposure. The association between diesel and reduced lung function is likely due to mild obstruction but warrants further investigation.