BACKGROUND Between 1997 and 1999 three sericite plant workers in Parana, Brazil, were diagnosed with pneumoconiosis. AIMS To investigate and describe the radiological, clinical, and pathological changes in miners and millers exposed to sericite dust with mineralogical characteristics of inhaled dust. METHODS The working premises were visited to examine the sericite processing and to classif...

The relation between pulmonary function, cigarette smoking, and exposure to mixed respirable dust containing silicon carbide (SiC), hydrocarbons, and small quantities of quartz, cristobalite, and graphite was evaluated in 156SiC production workers using linear regression models on the difference between measured and predicted FEV1 and FVC. Workers had an average of 16 (range 2-41) years of empl...

The objective of this study is to investigate the sources of variability and uncertainty in a previously developed human lung dosimetry model. That three-compartment model describes the retention and clearance kinetics of respirable particles in the gas-exchange region of the lungs. It was calibrated using exposure histories and lung dust burden data in U.S. coal miners. A multivariate paramete...

Prolonged exposure to respirable crystalline silica (RCS) causes silicosis and is also considered a cause of cancer. To meet emerging needs for precise measurements of RCS, from shorter sampling periods (<4 h) and lower air concentrations, collaborative work was done to assess the differences between personal respirable samplers at higher flow rates. The performance of FSP10, GK2.69, and CIP 10...

Five physicians' radiological assessments of coalworkers' simple pneumoconiosis (CWP) in 2600 coalminers at 10 British collieries have been studied in relation to the individuals' estimated lifetime (mean 33 years) exposure to respirable coalmine dust. Estimates of exposure were based on 20 years of observations at each colliery. Radiographic classifications were clearly associated with the mea...

To the Editor: We would like to thank Moolgavkar et aP for their provocative and informative article on lung cancer and its relation to radon exposure and cigarette smoke. Their observations supporting a two-mutation model for both tobacco and radon may help to explain some of the confusing observations regarding respirable crystalline silica, . tobacco smoke, and the development of pulmonary n...

Quartz (α-quartz), is the most common crystalline silica polymorph in nature and is the only polymorph found in significant concentrations in coal and coal ash. Since exposure to quartz is liable to cause lung diseases, it is very important to know its concentrations in coal ash and to evaluate its effects on the workers. Inhalation is the most effective route of entry for airborne particles of...

PURPOSE To study the relationship between exposure to airborne particles in a pulp and paper mill and markers of inflammation and coagulation in blood. METHODS Personal sampling of inhalable dust was performed for 72 subjects working in a Swedish pulp and paper mill. Stationary measurements were used to study concentrations of total dust, respirable dust, PM10 and PM2.5, the particle surface ...

OBJECTIVE The objective of the study was evaluation of work conditions in a pasta manufacturing plant, including: physical and psychological load and factors of material work environment. The main aim was determination of the level of employees' exposure to our dust. METHODS Studies of work conditions were conducted in a our processing plant in the Lublin region at the workplace of an automat...

A laboratory study assessed the impacts of water spray pressure, face ventilation quantity, and line brattice setback distance on respirable dust and SF6 tracer gas concentrations around a continuous mining machine using a sprayfan or directional spray system. Dust levels were measured at locations representing the mining machine operator and the standard and off-standard shuttle car operators,...