Table. 2—

Annual declines in lung function(mL·yr⁻¹) over the 20-yr period and the final 5-yr period^#

	FEV₁		FVC
	Cotton workers	Silk workers	Cotton workers	Silk workers
20-yr period
All	−32.4±1.0**	−27.3±0.9	−29.2±1.3*	−25.0±1.3
Male	−42.3±1.5**	−35.0±1.3	−36.8±2.0	−33.6±2.1
Female	−24.6±1.0*	−21.5±1.0	−23.1±1.5*	−18.6±1.4
Smokers^¶	−45.2±1.6**	−36.0±1.6	−38.1±2.4	−33.4±2.6
Nonsmokers	−34.9±2.8	−32.3±2.3	−33.5±3.9	−34.1±3.4
Final 5-yr period
All	−32.7±2.5**	−23.3±1.8	−56.3±3.5	−54.1±2.9
Male	−43.0±4.9**	−28.4±3.3	−68.5±6.5	−71.4±5.4
Female	−24.6±2.2	−19.9±2.0	−46.7±3.3	−42.8±2.9
Smokers	−48.1±5.6**	−28.7±3.7	−72.7±7.3	−68.4±6.6
Nonsmokers	−27.8±9.7	−27.6±6.6	−56.0±13.9	−78.1±9.0

Data are presented as mean±se. FEV₁: forced expiratory volume in one second; FVC: forced vital capacity. ^#: analysis was carried out among 346 cotton workers and 342 silk workers who participated in last survey; ^¶: calculations from smokers and nonsmokers were restricted to male workers. *: p<0.05; **: p<0.01 using unpaired t-test.