idw – Informationsdienst Wissenschaft

Nachrichten, Termine, Experten

Grafik: idw-Logo
Grafik: idw-Logo

idw - Informationsdienst
Wissenschaft

Science Video Project
idw-Abo

idw-News App:

AppStore

Google Play Store



Instance:
Share on: 
08/21/2024 17:46

Occupational exposure to particles may increase the risk of chronic kidney disease

Press contact: Margareta G. Kubista, tel. +46 705 30 19 80, e-mail press@sahlgrenska.gu.se Communications Department
Schwedischer Forschungsrat - The Swedish Research Council

    Exposure to dust and particles at work may increase the risk of chronic kidney disease, a University of Gothenburg study shows. Among Swedish construction workers, followed since the 1970s, the risk was 15% higher among exposed.

    Chronic kidney disease is the most common form of kidney disease and involves a slow and progressive deterioration of the kidneys' ability to cleanse the body. Harmful substances and fluids that would otherwise have been excreted from the body with the urine are instead retained.

    Research in recent years shows that outdoor air pollution particles from sources such as industry, vehicle exhaust and heating may increase the risk of chronic kidney disease. The current study shows that this is also likely to be the case for occupational exposure to particles in the construction industry.

    The first author of the study is Karl Kilbo Edlund, a PhD student in occupational and environmental medicine at the Sahlgrenska Academy at the University of Gothenburg:
    “We see a clear link between having worked in construction environments with high dust levels and the risk of developing chronic kidney disease before the age of 65. But further studies are required to show whether there is a causal link and to identify the biological mechanisms,” he says.

    The importance of prevention

    The study, published in the journal Occupational and Environmental Medicine, is based on data from more than 280,000 construction workers who participated in health surveys between 1971 and 1993. The surveys were organized by Bygghälsan, a former occupational health service for the construction industry.

    The results reveal that construction workers exposed to dust and particles were about 15% more likely to be diagnosed with chronic kidney disease and receive medical treatment to replace lost kidney function. However, the increased risk did not persist beyond retirement age.

    The study is part of a research project about particles and kidney disease, funded by the Swedish Research Council Forte, which focuses on health, working life and welfare. The project leader is Leo Stockfelt, Associate Professor of Occupational and Environmental Medicine at Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg:
    “Chronic kidney disease is a serious disease that has a major impact on an individual's quality of life, increasing the risk of secondary diseases and leading to high healthcare costs. Primary prevention is therefore of great importance,” he says.

    More to do on occupational health and safety

    Improvements in workplace emissions and the use of personal protective equipment have reduced the occupational exposure of construction workers to particulate matter over the period studied, from the 1970s to the 1990s. This is believed to have contributed to a reduction in kidney disease, but according to the researchers, more needs to be done to improve the occupational environment within the construction industry.

    The study is the first to investigate the risk of kidney disease in construction workers, using registry data from Bygghälsan as a basis. The material, managed by Umeå University, has been used in several previous studies on occupational environment and health within the construction industry.

    The next step for the research team will be to study the link between dust and particle exposure and kidney disease in further groups, to see if the results can be confirmed and to better identify the mechanisms.


    Contact for scientific information:

    Karl Kilbo Edlund, tel. +46 769 31 54 58, e-mail karl.kilbo.edlund@gu.se
    Leo Stockfelt, tel. +46 722 02 07 82, e-mail leo.stockfelt@amm.gu.se


    Original publication:

    Occupational particle exposure and chronic kidney disease: a cohort study in Swedish construction workers, https://doi.org/10.1136/oemed-2023-109371


    Images

    Karl Kilbo Edlund and Leo Stockfelt
    Karl Kilbo Edlund and Leo Stockfelt
    Amanda Wykman, Cecilia Groglopo


    Criteria of this press release:
    Journalists
    Medicine
    transregional, national
    Research results
    English


     

    Help

    Search / advanced search of the idw archives
    Combination of search terms

    You can combine search terms with and, or and/or not, e.g. Philo not logy.

    Brackets

    You can use brackets to separate combinations from each other, e.g. (Philo not logy) or (Psycho and logy).

    Phrases

    Coherent groups of words will be located as complete phrases if you put them into quotation marks, e.g. “Federal Republic of Germany”.

    Selection criteria

    You can also use the advanced search without entering search terms. It will then follow the criteria you have selected (e.g. country or subject area).

    If you have not selected any criteria in a given category, the entire category will be searched (e.g. all subject areas or all countries).