Table 3

Lung function variables in waste collectors

Lung function variablesArithmetic meansd
FEV1 % pred#90.110.5
FVC % pred#99.613.4
FEV1/FVC %80.312.7
 Δ FEV1 L−0.12*0.2
 Δ FEV1/FVC%−1.34**3.9
 Δ FEV1 % pred−3.0*4.4
  • FEV1: forced expiratory volume in one second

  • % pred: % predicted

  • FVC: forced vital capacity

  • #: lung function on Monday morning before the work shift compared with the European Respiratory Society standard population (never-smokers, without symptoms, age 18–70 yrs)

  • : difference between Thursday and Monday morning

  • *: p<0.05

  • **: p<0.01 (Wilcoxon signed-rank test). n=24