Pulmonary Function Testing

Supporting Workplace Health Through Precise, Thorough Testing

Spirometry is used in pre-placement and fit-for-duty examinations, in situations where the physical demands of a job require a certain level of cardiopulmonary fitness or the characteristics of respirator use can impose a significant burden on the cardiopulmonary systems. 

Repeated spirometric evaluations can be used in medical surveillance programs when workplace exposures may put workers at risk of developing occupationally related respiratory disorders. Monitoring can be used to detect slowly developing or delayed losses of function that characterize many work-related respiratory disorders. Surveillance programs require that a baseline is established and that workers be retested periodically. These periodic spirometry tests may be mandated by OSHA regulations for employees exposed to specific chemicals.