The objective of this study was to assess factors affecting
lung function among 685 workers in the rubberwood
(Hevea brasiliensis) furniture industry in the Chonburi
and Rayung provinces of eastern Thailand. Study data
were gathered using questionnaires, by sampling wood
dust, and by spirometry. The mean wood dust exposure
level in the factories was 4.08 mg/m3 (SD = 1.42, range:
1.15–11.17 mg/m3). The mean overall percent of predicted
forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory
volume in one second (FEV1), and FEV1/FVC values
were 84 % (SD = 13.41), 86 % (SD = 14.40), and 99%
(SD = 10.42), respectively. Significant negative correlations
were found between mean dust exposure levels
and FVC (p = 0.0008), and FEV1/FVC% (p < 0.001), but
not FEV1 (p = 0.074). An association between decline in
lung function and wood dust levels among wood workers
suggests that rubberwood dust exposure negatively
affects lung function.