Top

International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health

Published in:

Open Access 03-06-2023 | Spirometry | Original Article

Does working in an extremely cold environment affects lung function?: 10 years follow-up

Authors: Marcial Velasco Garrido, Nadine Rentel, Robert Herold, Volker Harth, Alexandra M. Preisser

Published in: International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health | Issue 7/2023

Abstract

Objective

The aim of this study is to investigate whether there is an association between brief but repeated exposures to extremely cold temperatures over many years and pulmonary function.

Methods

We performed a retrospective analysis of the data collected over 10 years in the context of the extended medical examinations of storeworkers exposed to extremely cold temperatures. We considered forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV₁), Tiffeneau-Pinelli index (FEV₁/FVC), CO diffusion capacity (D_L,CO) and Krogh-factor (CO diffusion capacity relative to recorded alveolar volume, D_L,CO/VA) reported as %-predicted. We analysed trends in outcome parameters with linear mixed models.

Results

46 male workers participated in at least two extended medical examinations between 2007 and 2017. Overall 398 measure points were available. All lung function parameters had values above the lower limit of normality at the first examination. In the multivariate model including smoking status and monthly intensity of cold exposure (≤ 16 h/month vs. > 16 h/month) FEV1%-predicted and FVC %-predicted had a statistically significant positive slope (FEV1, 0.32% 95% CI 0.16% to 0.49% p < 0.001; FVC 0.43% 95% CI 0.28% to 0.57% p < 0.001). The other lung function parameters (FEV1/FVC %-predicted, DL,CO %-predicted, DL,CO/VA %-predicted) showed no statistically significant change over time.

Conclusions

Long term intermittent occupational exposure to extreme cold temperatures (-55 °C) does not appear to cause irreversible deleterious changes in lung function in healthy workers, thus the development of obstructive or restrictive lung diseases is not expected.

Chen Y, Kong D, Fu J, Zhang Y, Zhao Y et al (2022) Associations between ambient temperature and adult asthma hospitalizations in Beijing, China: a time-stratified case-crossover study. Respir Res 23:38. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12931-022-01960-8CrossRef

Chowdhury R, Shah D, Payal AR (2017) Healthy worker effect phenomenon: revisited with emphasis on statistical methods—a review. Indian J Occup Environ Med 21:2–8. https://doi.org/10.4103/ijoem.IJOEM_53_16CrossRef

Cotes JE, Chinn DJ, Quanjer PH, Roca J, Yernault JC (1993) Standardization of the measurement of transfer factor (diffusing capacity). Eur Respir J 6(Suppl 16):41–52. https://doi.org/10.1183/09041950.041s1693CrossRef

Criée CP, Baur X, Berdel D, Bösch D, Gappa M, Haidl P et al (2015) Standardization of spirometry: 2015 update. Published by German Atemwegsliga, German respiratory society and German Society of Occupational and Environmental Medicine. Pneumologie 69:147–164. https://doi.org/10.1055/s-0034-1391345CrossRef

Field A (2013) Discovering statistics using IBM SPSS, 4th edn. Sage, Los Angeles

Ghani N, Tariq F, Javed H, Nisar N, Tahir A (2020) Low-temperature health hazards among workers of cold storage facilities in Lahore, Pakistan. Medycyna Pracy 71:1–7. https://doi.org/10.13075/mp.5893.00857CrossRef

Graham BL, Brusasco V, Burgos F, Cooper BG, Jensen R, Kendrick A et al (2017) ERS/ATS standards for single-breath carbon monoxide uptake in the lung. Eur Respir J 49:1600016. https://doi.org/10.1183/13993003.00016-2016CrossRef

Granberg PO (1991) Human physiology under cold exposure. Arct Med Res 50(Suppl. 6):23–27

Groos S, Thielman B (2020) Cold work Risks and prevention. Zbl Arbeitsmed 70:281–286. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40664-020-00393-8CrossRef

Groos S, Penzkofer M, Strasser H, Kluth K (2021) Order picking in the cold—a superpostion of physically hard work and climate stress. Z Arb Wiss 75:227–235CrossRef

Hyrkäs-Palmu H, Ikäheimo TM, Laatikainen T, Jousilahti P, Jaakola MS, Jaajkola JJK (2018) Cold weather increases respiratory symptoms and functional disability especially among patients with asthma and allergic rhinitis. Sci Rep 8:10131. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-018-28466-yCrossRef

Jammes Y, Delvolgo-Gori MJ, Badier M, Guillot C, Gazazian G, Parlenti L (2002) One-year occupational exposure to a cold Environment alters lung function. Arch Environ Health 57:360–365. https://doi.org/10.1080/00039890209601422

Kontaniemi JT, Latvala J, Lundbäck B, Sovijärvi A, Hassi J, Larsson K (2003) Does living in a cold climate or recreational skiing increases the risk of obstructive respiratory diseases or symptoms? Int J Circumpolar Health 62:142–157. https://doi.org/10.3402/ijch.v62i2.17548CrossRef

Koskela HO (2007) Cold air-provoked respiratory symptoms: the mechanisms and management. Int J Circumpolar Health 66:91–100. https://doi.org/10.3402/ijch.v66i2.18237CrossRef

Koskela HO, Tukiainen H (1995) Facial cooling, but not nasal breathing of cold air, induces bronchoconstriction: a study in asthmatic and healthy subjects. Eur Respir J 8:2088–2093. https://doi.org/10.1183/09031936.95.08122088CrossRef

Koskela HO, Koskela AK, Tukiainen HO (1996) Bronchoconstriction due to cold weather in COPD: the roles of direct airway effects and cutaneous reflex mechanism. Chest 110:632–636. https://doi.org/10.1378/chest.110.3.632CrossRef

Liu Y, Chen Y, Kong D, Liu X, Fu J et al (2021) Short-term effects of cold spells on hospitalisations for acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: a time-series study in Beijing. China. BMJ Open 11:e039745. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2020-039745CrossRef

MacIntyre N, Crapo RO, Viegi G, Johnson DC, van der Grinten CP, Brusasco V et al (2005) Standardisation of the single-breath determination of carbon monoxide uptake in the lung. Eur Respir J 26:720–735. https://doi.org/10.1183/09031936.05.00034905CrossRef

Miller MR, Hankinson J, Brusasco V, Burgos F, Casaburi R, Coates A et al (2005) Standardisation of spirometry. Eur Respir J 26:319–338. https://doi.org/10.1183/09031936.05.00034805CrossRef

Mottram C, Blonshine S, Brown RA, Ruppel GL, Wanger J (1999) AARC clinical practice guideline. Single-breath carbon monoxide diffusing capacity. Respir Care 44:539–546

Mourtzoukou EG, Falagas ME (2007) Exposure to cold and respiratory tract infections. Int J Tuberc Lung Dis 11:938–943

Pellegrino R, Viegi G, Brusasco V, Crapo RO, Burgos F, Casaburi R et al (2005) Interpretative strategies for lung function tests. Eur Respir J 26:948–968. https://doi.org/10.1183/09031936.05.00035205CrossRef

Piedrahita H, Oksa J, Malm C, Rintamäki H (2008) Health problems related to working in extreme cold conditions indoors. Int J Circumpolar Health 67:279–287. https://doi.org/10.3402/ijch.v67i2-3.18286CrossRef

Quanjer PH, Stanojevic S, Cole TJ, Baur X, Hall GL, Culver BH et al (2012) Multiethnic reference values for spirometry for the 3–95 year age range: the global lung function 2012 equations. Eur Respir J 40:1324–43. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12890-020-1091-4CrossRef

Shiryaeva O, Aasmoe L, Straume B, Bang BE (2015) Respiratory symptoms, lung functions, and exhaled nitric oxide (FENO) in two types of fish processing workers: Russian trawler fishermen and Norwegian salmon industry workers. Int J Occup Environ Health 21:53–60. https://doi.org/10.1179/2049396714Y.0000000089CrossRef

Stjernbrandt A, Stenfors N, Liljelind I (2021) Occupational cold exposure is associated with increased reporting of airway symptoms. Int Arch Occup Environ Health 94:1945–1952. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00420-021-01694-yCrossRef

Stjernbrandt A, Hedman L, Liljelind I, Wahlström J (2022) Occupational cold exposure in relaction to incident airway symptoms in northern Sweden: a prospective population-based study. Int Arch Occup Environ Health 95:1871–1879. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00420-022-01884-2CrossRef

Sue-Chu M (2012) Winter sports athletes: long-term effects of cold air exposure. Br J Sports Med 46:397–401. https://doi.org/10.1136/bjsports-2011-090822CrossRef

Title: Does working in an extremely cold environment affects lung function?: 10 years follow-up
Authors: Marcial Velasco Garrido
Nadine Rentel
Robert Herold
Volker Harth
Alexandra M. Preisser
Publication date: 03-06-2023
Publisher: Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Keyword: Spirometry
Published in: International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health / Issue 7/2023
Print ISSN: 0340-0131
Electronic ISSN: 1432-1246
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00420-023-01988-3

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Does working in an extremely cold environment affects lung function?: 10 years follow-up

Abstract

Objective

Methods

Results

Conclusions

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Objective

Methods

Results

Conclusions

Please log in to get access to this content

Other articles of this Issue 7/2023

Combined exposure to heavy physical workload and low job control and the risk of disability pension: A cohort study of employed men and women in Sweden

Relationship between working conditions and mental health of migrants and refugees/asylum seekers vs. natives in Europe: a systematic review

“Make it the done thing”: an exploration of attitudes towards rest breaks, productivity and wellbeing while working from home

Burden of injury due to occupational accidents and its spatiotemporal trend at the national and subnational levels in Iran, 2011–2018

A longitudinal study on the effect of extreme temperature on non-accidental deaths in Hulunbuir City based on DLNM model

Occupational exposure to noise and dust in Swedish soft paper mills and mortality from ischemic heart disease and ischemic stroke: a cohort study