Previous studies have reported that miners (and other workers) exposed to high levels of diesel engine exhaust (DEE) have an increased risk of lung function decline. The main objective of this study was to evaluate associations between exposure to different components associated with DEE in relation to lung function across a 12-h working shift. Eighty underground gold miners and twenty surface miners completed spirometry and questionnaires at the beginning and end of their 12 h work shift. Personal exposure to elemental carbon (EC), volatile organic compounds (VOCs), nitrogen dioxide (NO₂), particle size and particle number were monitored during their shift. Multiple regression models were used to examine the associations between DEE and lung function, adjusting for a range of covariates. Underground miners were exposed to higher levels of EC, VOCs, NO₂, and particle number and larger mean particle size than surface miners. Cross-shift reduction in Z-score value of FEV₁/FVC in underground miners was statistically significantly greater than those of surface miners. The cross-shift change in Z-score value of FEV₁/FVC was associated with exposure to higher concentration of EC and particle number, but not with VOCs, NO₂ and particle size. Occupational exposure to diesel engine exhaust in current Australian gold mines is substantial. Exposures were higher in underground miners and had a negative association with their lung function over a single 12-h shift.

先前的研究报告称，暴露于高水平柴油机排气（DEE）的矿工（和其他工人）肺功能下降的风险增加。这项研究的主要目的是评估在12小时的工作班次中，与DEE相关的不同成分的暴露与肺功能之间的关联。在下班12小时的开始和结束时，有80名地下金矿工和20名露天矿工完成了肺活量测定和问卷调查。个人暴露于元素碳（EC），挥发性有机化合物（VOC），二氧化氮（NO ₂），在移动过程中监控颗粒大小和数量。使用多元回归模型检查DEE和肺功能之间的关联，并调整一系列协变量。与露天采矿者相比，地下采矿者暴露于较高水平的EC，VOC，NO ₂和颗粒数，且平均粒径更大。地下矿工的FEV ₁ / FVC的Z分数的交叉移位降低在统计学上显着大于露天矿工。FEV ₁ / FVC的Z值的交叉变化与暴露于较高浓度的EC和颗粒数有关，而与VOC，NO ₂无关和粒度。当前的澳大利亚金矿中，柴油机废气的职业暴露量很大。地下矿工的暴露量较高，并且在每12小时的班次中其肺功能呈负相关。