Late Breaking Abstract - Analysis of chronic occupational exposure in non-smoking insulators

Cardiovascular and respiratory diseases are among global leading causes of mortality. Insulators are at risk of these illnesses because of chronic exposure to asbestos and silica. Many insulators are habitual smokers, which confounds etiological diagnosis of disease. In this study, a retrospective analysis of non-smoking insulators examined the direct effects of occupational exposure. Unionized non-smoking insulators (n = 301) were recruited through a longitudinal surveillance program in Alberta (41 ± 14 years, 29 ± 5 kg/m2 BMI). Family, health, and work history, using validated questionnaires, and full physical assessments were collected. Insulators were assessed by pulmonary function tests (PFTs), chest X-rays, Framingham cardiac risk scores, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) assessment test (CAT) scores. For controls, a cohort of Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) officers was assessed (37 ± 9 years, 29 ± 6 kg/m2 BMI). Over half the insulators (54%) were exposed to asbestos in their working environment. No differences were found in PFT values from insulators and RCMP officers. While the CAT score for insulators (mean, 4 ± 4) was lower than that of RCMP (6 ± 5, p 13%. COPD and asbestos-related lung diseases (ARLD) were found in 18% of insulators. Our findings suggest an emerging public health crisis in the health of insulators independent of smoking habits. More needs to be done to protect the health of workers and prevent the onset of lung diseases.