Occupational exposures to acid mists and gases and ulcerative lesions of the oral mucosa.

BACKGROUND

This study examines the hypothesis that acid mist or mixtures of acid mists and acid gases are associated with ulcerative lesions of the oral mucosa.

METHODS

All 665 active male workers of a metal processing factory were the study population. Semi-quantitative measures of exposure were estimated from a job exposure matrix constructed with industrial hygienist scoring and job titles. Ulcerative lesions of the oral mucosa were identified with standardized clinical dental exams.

RESULTS

Past exposure to acid mists were positively associated with ulcerative lesions of the oral mucosa but only among workers without lip sealing (age- and alcohol consumption-adjusted prevalence ratio (PR), PR(adjusted) = 3.40; 90% CI: 1.48-7.85). Also in this worker group, the mixture of acid mists and acid gases was associated with ulcerative lesions of the oral mucosa limited to exposure in the past (PR(adjusted) = 2.83; 90% CI: 1.12-7.17).

CONCLUSIONS

There is a positive association between acid mist or mixtures of acid mists and acid gases and ulcerative lesions of the oral mucosa only in the absence of lip sealing. The evidence of a chronic rather than acute irritative process suggests a possible step on the etiology of oral malignancies, which needs investigation.