Foundry workers are exposed to various dusts, gases, fumes, and vapors in their work, which can have harmful health effects. In her doctoral dissertation, Kirsi Koskela examined the connection between dust exposure and respiratory symptoms and diseases, lung function test results, and inflammation markers in exhaled air and blood plasma among foundry workers.
The research showed that foundry workers who were exposed long-term to inorganic dust experienced cough, wheezing, chronic bronchitis, chronic rhinitis, and reduced lung function more frequently than unexposed controls. The results suggested that chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and chronic bronchitis may be underdiagnosed, as there were significantly fewer medical diagnoses made by physicians than what respiratory symptom surveys and lung function tests would have suggested.
“The underdiagnosis could likely be reduced through more active use of respiratory symptom surveys. These surveys are useful for identifying symptomatic workers and enable timely initiation of further investigations. It is important, however, to evaluate the effectiveness of more intensive health monitoring compared to current practices in the future”, estimated Koskela.
Koskela also examined the impact of long-term exposure to inorganic dust on the levels of inflammation markers present in exhaled air and plasma. The study results indicated that dust exposure may trigger an inflammatory response in the body even before the onset of clinical disease.
The alveolar-level nitric oxide concentration measured from exhaled air and plasma adipsin proved to be promising inflammatory markers for assessing the effects of dust exposure. The levels of these inflammatory markers were associated with both dust exposure and lung function test results.
“Further research is needed, however, on the connection between dust exposure and inflammation markers before these markers can be utilized at the individual level”, notes Koskela.
The findings of the doctoral dissertation highlight the importance of reducing occupational dust exposure, both in foundry work and other jobs, by improving working conditions. Preventing occupational dust exposure can support the health and work ability of employees.
Kirsi Koskela works as a chief physician at the Finnish Institute of Occupational Health. She is responsible for the operations of the occupational medicine outpatient clinic in Tampere and works as the responsible physician for the Finnish Register of Occupational Diseases.
Public defence on Friday 5 September
The doctoral dissertation of Lic. Med. Kirsi Koskela in the field of medicine titled Respiratory Morbidity, Pulmonary Function and Inflammatory Markers in Foundry Workers, will be publicly examined at the Faculty of Medicine and Health Technology at Tampere University on Friday 5.9.2025 at 12 o’clock at Kauppi campus, Arvo building, auditorium F114 (Arvo Ylpön katu 34, Tampere). The Opponent will be Docent Ari Kaukiainen from University of Helsinki and University of Turku. The Custos will be Professor Riitta Sauni from the Faculty of Medicine and Health Technology, Tampere University.