Prevalence of clinical and radiographic abnormalities in 150 workers exposed to non-calcined diatomaceous earth in central California.

Details

• Personal Author:
  Culver BD ; Howard J ; Sargent EN
• Description:
  A study of the prevalence of clinical and radiographic abnormalities in workers exposed to noncalcined diatomaceous-earth (68855549) (diatomite) was conducted. The study group consisted of 150 workers, 121 males, employed at Excel Mineral Company (SIC-3295), in the southern San Joaquin Valley, California. Workers had been exposed to diatomite dust for periods up to 17 or more years. The workers completed a questionnaire to obtain information on general health status, respiratory symptoms, and occupational history. Pulmonary function testing was performed and chest X-rays were obtained. The chest X-rays were read for opacities using the 1980 International Labour Organization System. Exposure indices (EIs) were estimated from the occupational history data. Dust samples obtained at the mill were analyzed for their mineral content. Wheezing was the most frequently reported respiratory complaint. The frequency of respiratory symptoms increased with increasing EI. Pulmonary function testing revealed no obstructive or restrictive defects. Eleven subjects (7%) had radiographic profusion scores of Three subjects (2%) had definite radiographic evidence of pneumoconiosis, profusion scores of 1/1 or greater. The dusts contained 69% amorphous silica (7631869) and 6% crystalline silica (14808607). The crystalline silica was present as alpha-quartz (14808607) and cristobalite (14464461). The authors conclude that the prevalence rate of pneumoconiosis in the cohort is lower than that noted in previous studies. Since the concentration of fibrogenic silica noted in the dust samples generally exceeds that normally noted in uncalcined diatomite, employees at Excel Mineral may be at greater risk of pneumoconiosis than other employees in the California diatomite industry.
• Subjects:
  Accident Prevention Accidents Accidents, Occupational Firefighters Hazardous Substances Occupational Health Personal Protective Equipment Respiratory Protective Devices Safety
• Keywords:
  Chest X Rays Dust Exposure Epidemiology Lung Lesions Mineral Dusts Occupational Exposure Respiratory System Disorders X Ray Analysis
• Publisher:
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
• Document Type:
  Text
• Genre:
  Conference/Symposia Proceedings
• Place as Subject:
  California ; OSHA Region 3 ; OSHA Region 9 ; Pennsylvania
• CIO:
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
• Topic:
  Workplace Safety & Health
• Location:
  North America
• Pages in Document:
  1202-1203
• NIOSHTIC Number:
  nn:00198769
• 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 Nov; (Part II):1202-1203
• CAS Registry Number:
  Kieselguhr, soda ash flux-calcined (CAS RN 68855-54-9) ; Silica (CAS RN 7631-86-9) ; Quartz (SiO2) (CAS RN 14808-60-7) ; Cristobalite (CAS RN 14464-46-1)
• Federal Fiscal Year:
  1991
• Peer Reviewed:
  False
• Part Number:
  II
• NAICS and SIC Codes:
  3295 - Minerals, ground or treated - (SIC)
• Collection(s):
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
• Main Document Checksum:
  urn:sha-512:a8e65dd8f38167f6988d225af54b8cfcf36671c5af9e63f9fdb2428ee6b2b14effed850d5012a570daae6585a58f6b0dca2a04069ad0427eaa7d7c2502b2b8de
• Download URL:
  https://stacks.cdc.gov/view/cdc/180644/cdc_180644_DS1.pdf
• File Type:
  [PDF - 115.08 KB ]