RT Journal Article SR Electronic T1 Exposure to thoracic dust, airway symptoms, and lung function in cement production workers JF European Respiratory Journal JO Eur Respir J FD European Respiratory Society SP erj00077-2011 DO 10.1183/09031936.00007711 A1 K-C. Nordby A1 A.K.M. Fell A1 H. Notø A1 W. Eduard A1 M. Skogstad A1 Y. Thomassen A1 A. Bergamaschi A1 J. Kongerud A1 H. Kjuus YR 2011 UL http://erj.ersjournals.com/content/early/2011/06/09/09031936.00007711.abstract AB Cement dust exposure has previously been associated with airway symptoms and ventilatory impairment. The aim of the present study was to examine lung function and airway symptoms among employees in different job type categories and different levels of exposure to thoracic dust in the cement production industry.At the start of a four-year prospective cohort study in 2007, exposure to cement dust, symptoms and lung function were recorded cross-sectionally among 4265 employees in 24 European cement plants. Bronchial exposure was assessed by 2670 full-shift dust samples with cyclones collecting the thoracic aerosol fraction. A job exposure matrix was constructed by grouping dust concentrations according to job type and plant.Elevated odds ratios for symptoms and airflow limitation (range 1.2–2.6 in the highest quartile), but not for chronic bronchitis, were found in the higher quartiles of exposure compared to the lowest quartile. FEV1 showed an exposure-response relationship with a 270 mL deficit of FEV1 (95% confidence interval 190; 300 mL) in the highest compared to the lowest exposure level.The results support the hypothesis that exposure to dust in cement production may lead to respiratory symptoms and airway obstruction.