Respiratory symptoms and lung function in bus drivers and mechanics

Acute and chronic respiratory symptoms as well as ventilatory capacity were studied in 116 bus drivers and 119 mechanics. Bus drivers and mechanics demonstrated a significantly higher prevalence of most chronic respiratory symptoms when compared to control workers. In particular, lower airway symptoms of chest tightness and dyspnea and upper airway symptoms of nasal catarrh were significantly more prevalent among drivers and mechanics than among controls. Bus drivers and mechanics who were smokers had significantly higher prevalences of respiratory symptoms than nonsmoking bus drivers. Bus drivers and mechanics employed for more than 10 years also exhibited higher frequencies of respiratory symptoms than those exposed for 10 years or less. Many of the workers complained of acute symptoms during the work shift. The ventilatory capacity data demonstrated lower values for all parameters, particularly FEF25, compared to control worker values as well as to predicted normal values, for bus drivers and mechanics who were smokers. Our data indicate that long-term employment in the transport industry of bus drivers and mechanics, particularly in combination with smoking, may be associated with the development of chronic respiratory symptoms and lung function impairment.