AUTHOR=Virji Mohammed Abbas , Fechter-Leggett Ethan D. , Groth Caroline P. , Liang Xiaoming , Blackley Brie H. , Stanton Marcia L. , LeBouf Ryan F. , Harvey R. Reid , Bailey Rachel L. , Cummings Kristin J. , Cox-Ganser Jean M. 

TITLE=Decrements in lung function and respiratory abnormalities associated with exposure to diacetyl and 2,3-pentanedione in coffee production workers

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Public Health

VOLUME=Volume 10 - 2022

YEAR=2022

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/public-health/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2022.966374

DOI=10.3389/fpubh.2022.966374

ISSN=2296-2565

ABSTRACT=Coffee production workers are exposed to complex mixtures of gases, dusts, and vapors, including diacetyl and 2,3-pentanedione which occur naturally during coffee roasting and are also present in flavorings used to flavor coffee. This study evaluated associations of these α-diketones with lung function measures in coffee production workers. Workers completed questionnaires and their lung function was assessed by spirometry and impulse oscillometry (IOS). Personal exposures to diacetyl, 2,3-pentanedione, and their sum (SumDA+PD) were assigned to participants and metrics of highest 95th percentile (P95), cumulative, and average exposure were calculated. Linear and logistic regression models for continuous and binary/polytomous outcomes, respectively, were used to explore exposure-response relationships adjusting for age, body mass index, tenure, height, sex, smoking status, race, and allergic status where appropriate. Decrements in percent predicted forced expiratory volume in 1 second (ppFEV1) and forced vital capacity (ppFVC) were associated with highest-P95 exposures to 2,3-pentanedione and SumDA+PD. Among flavoring workers, larger decrements in ppFEV1 and ppFVC were associated with highest-P95 exposures to diacetyl, 2,3-pentanedione, and SumDA+PD. Abnormal FEV1, FVC, and restrictive spirometric patterns were associated with highest-P95, cumulative, and average exposures for all α-diketone metrics; the associations for the latter two outcomes were observed among flavoring and non-flavoring workers. Small airways abnormalities on IOS had elevated odds for highest-P95 exposure to α-diketones. These results may be affected by small sample size, few cases of abnormal spirometry, and healthy worker effect.  Associations between lung function abnormalities and exposure to α-diketones suggests it may be prudent to consider exposure controls.