Radiographic abnormalities in Vermont granite workers exposed to low levels of quartz.

Details

• Personal Author:
  Ashikaga T ; Graham WB ; Hemenway D ; O'Grady R ; Weaver S
• Description:
  A study was made in granite workers to determine if exposure to low levels of quartz (14808607) dust could produce abnormalities on chest x-rays. Chest x-rays taken for 972 workers in 1953 were evaluated by three B-readers using the International Labour Office format. Films were defined as abnormal if at least two readers assigned profusion scores of 1/0 or greater, for rounded or irregular opacities. Personal breathing zone samples operating at 6 liters per minute were used for gravimetric sampling of respirable dust particles. X-rays were judged abnormal in 6.9% of workers. Abnormalities consistent with pneumoconiosis were noted in 2.88% (28 workers), and only seven workers had films judged abnormal by all three readers. Irregular opacities were the primary abnormalities on 21 x-rays. Rounded opacities typical of early silicosis were noted in 0.7%; none had profusion scores of 2/1 or higher. Four x- rays had irregular opacities with profusion scores of 2/1 or higher. This type of opacity tended to occur in lower lung zones, and no egg shell calcifications or large opacities were observed. Age, years spent in granite work and years as smokers were significantly higher in workers with abnormal films. Several workers with abnormal x-rays had notably low dust exposures. Mean dust levels for 417 samples were 601+/-365 micrograms per cubic meter (microg/m3). Using a quartz level of 10%, it was determined that 11% of samples exceeded the OSHA standard of 100microg/m3. The authors conclude that current dust controls conforming to OSHA standards have essentially eliminated radiographic silicosis.
• Subjects:
  Accidents, Occupational Occupational Health Personal Protective Equipment Respiratory Protective Devices Safety
• Keywords:
  Chest X Rays Exposure Levels Humans Lung Disorders NIOSH Grant Occupational Exposure Pulmonary System Disorders Quarry Workers Quartz Dust Respiratory System Disorders Stone Processing

  More +
• Publisher:
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
• Document Type:
  Text
• Funding:
  Grant
• Genre:
  Conference/Symposia Proceedings
• Place as Subject:
  OSHA Region 1 ; OSHA Region 3 ; Pennsylvania ; Vermont
• CIO:
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
• Topic:
  Workplace Safety & Health
• Location:
  North America
• Pages in Document:
  686-687
• NIOSHTIC Number:
  nn:00198852
• 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; (Pt I):686-687
• Contact Point Address:
  Medicine Med Ctr Hospital of Vermont Chest Unit Burlington, VT 05401
• CAS Registry Number:
  Quartz (SiO2) (CAS RN 14808-60-7)
• Federal Fiscal Year:
  1990
• Performing Organization:
  University of Vermont and St Agric College, Burlington, Vermont
• Peer Reviewed:
  False
• Part Number:
  I
• Start Date:
  19800701
• Source Full Name:
  Proceedings of the VIIth International Pneumoconioses Conference, August 23-26, 1988, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
• End Date:
  19880331
• Collection(s):
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
• Main Document Checksum:
  urn:sha-512:b64ab527e7787da9787b41b7f5923b892b99e35a9704f40f1c02fdf4e7859a9eb328aaa84bde61a0ae342d1f93c8e60a830c822e7ee221b113413f9975cab5e7
• Download URL:
  https://stacks.cdc.gov/view/cdc/180685/cdc_180685_DS1.pdf
• File Type:
  [PDF - 107.54 KB ]