Exploring the genetic effects of exposure to hazardous workplaces on the risk of respiratory disease by two-sample mendelian randomization and bioinformatics analysis.

BACKGROUND

Harsh workplace can include very cold, hot, and dusty workplaces, as well as exposure in the workplace with chemicals and other fumes, cigarette smoke, and diesel exhaust. There is a shortage of genetic evidence regarding the impact of harsh workplaces on respiratory health.

OBJECTIVE

This study aims to investigate the genetic association between harsh workplace and respiratory diseases.

METHODS

This study used two-sample Mendelian randomization analysis based on UK Biobank, FinnGen Project, and IEU Open GWAS Database to exclude confounding factors and investigate the association between workplace and respiratory diseases.

RESULTS

Frequent exposure to workplace with cigarette smoke increased the risk of allergic rhinitis (βIVW = 1.83, P = 0.022). Intermittent exposure to extremely cold workplaces exacerbated asthma (βIVW = 0.34, P = 0.011) and COPD (βIVW = 0.80, P = 0.002). Rare (βMR = 1.15, P = 0.037) or intermittent exposure (βIVW = 0.59, P = 0.019) to extremely hot workplaces may worsen COPD. Chemical/smoke exposure may aggravate emphysema (βIVW = 0.03, P = 0.016). Exposure to extremely hot (βIVW = 0.90, P = 0.016) and dusty workplaces (βIVW = 0.97, P = 0.005) increased lung cancer risk. Exposure to extremely cold workplaces was associated with pneumoconiosis (βIVW = 3.99, P = 0.028) and was a significant risk factor for IPF (βIVW = 3.28, P = 0.015). Rare (βIVW = 1.69, P = 0.011) or frequent exposure (βIVW = 1.44, P = 0.013) to dusty workplaces increased tuberculosis risk.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study excluded other confounding factors and revealed a causal relationship between harsh workplaces and respiratory disease from genetic inheritance. Incorporating genetic evidence into occupational health assessments helps accurately identify high-risk individuals, develop personalized intervention plans, and enhance the effectiveness of respiratory health protection for workers.