Epidemiologic surveillance by a state health department using the ILO classification system for pneumoconioses.

Details

• Personal Author:
  Anderson HA ; Hanrahan L ; Haskins L ; Olson J ; Schirmer, Joseph
• Description:
  An epidemiologic surveillance system for pneumoconiosis based on the ILO classification system for small radiographic opacities was discussed. The program was set up by the Wisconsin State Health Department in October 1985 with goals of providing information about pneumoconiosis to the state's industrial workers, which account for around 28% of the working population, and supporting diagnostic evaluations by physicians. All workers whose first dust exposure was 15 or more years ago were eligible to participate in the program. Participants were required to submit a chest X-ray and a brief occupational exposure history. The X-ray films were read by a certified B-reader experienced in using the ILO classification system. From November 1985 to July 1988, 1124 X-ray films were submitted. Of these, 233 (21%) had abnormalities indicative of pneumoconiosis. A total of 663 (59%) were normal and 16% showed abnormalities not attributable to dust exposure. Approximately 4% of the films were unreadable. The average detection rate of new cases of pneumoconiosis and other dust related diseases by the program was 86 per year. This was significantly higher than the number of cases detected by more traditional means such as death certificates or disability compensation awards. The authors conclude that the surveillance program has demonstrated some potential for preventing pneumoconiosis and other dust related diseases. Obtaining better participation, the lack of complete occupational histories, and poor film quality have been persistent problems.
• Subjects:
  Accidents, Occupational Dust Mining Occupational Health Safety
• Keywords:
  Chest X Rays Disease Prevention Dust Exposure Epidemiology Lung Disorders Medical Screening Occupational Exposure Surveillance Programs
• Publisher:
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
• Document Type:
  Text
• Genre:
  Conference/Symposia Proceedings
• Place as Subject:
  OSHA Region 3 ; OSHA Region 5 ; Pennsylvania ; Wisconsin
• CIO:
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
• Topic:
  Workplace Safety & Health
• Location:
  North America
• Pages in Document:
  807-812
• NIOSHTIC Number:
  nn:00198660
• Citation:
  Proceedings of the VIIth International Pneumoconioses Conference, August 23-26, 1988, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA. Atlanta, GA: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Public Health Service, Centers for Disease Control, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 90-108, 1990 Sep; (Part I):807-812
• Federal Fiscal Year:
  1990
• Peer Reviewed:
  False
• Part Number:
  I
• Source Full Name:
  Proceedings of the VIIth International Pneumoconioses Conference, August 23-26, 1988, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
• Collection(s):
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
• Main Document Checksum:
  urn:sha-512:dacc26066fe2b7bc3f4e26458937475ba2e239029c3cae4e749e97cee43f8a50e5b9af85f334ec27220cc7e6edcbd68aded685eded9f4a9f545fef460ed9b24b
• Download URL:
  https://stacks.cdc.gov/view/cdc/180575/cdc_180575_DS1.pdf
• File Type:
  [PDF - 194.77 KB ]