Erionite in Road Gravel Associated with Interstitial and Pleural Changes – an Occupational Hazard in Western United States

Details

• Personal Author:
  Adjei S ; Dihle M ; Griffin S ; Hilbert TJ ; Lockey, James E. ; Partridge C ; Ryan PH ; Taylor R
• Description:
  OBJECTIVE: To determine the rate of chest radiographic abnormalities among residents of North Dakota potentially exposed to road gravel containing the fibrous mineral erionite. METHODS: Participants (n = 34) completed a questionnaire, chest radiograph, and high resolution computed tomography scan to assess the rate of interstitial and pleural changes consistent with fibrous mineral exposure. RESULTS: Interstitial, pleural, or both changes typically associated with asbestos exposure were observed by high resolution computed tomography in seven (21%) individuals. The primary exposure pathway for six of these was from gravel pits, road maintenance, or both. Three participants (8.8%) demonstrated bilateral localized pleural changes with calcification; two of these also had accompanying interstitial changes. All three reported extensive work in gravel pits, road maintenance, or both. CONCLUSIONS: These results indicate that occupational exposure to erionite contained within road gravel in the United States represents a potential health hazard. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: This study identifies chest radiographic changes among residents of North Dakota occupationally exposed to road gravel containing erionite. Public health officials and physicians in affected areas should be aware of the potential health effects of erionite exposure. Precautionary measures should be taken to limit occupational exposure to gravel containing erionite. [Description provided by NIOSH]
• Subjects:
  Asbestos Construction Industry Environmental Exposure Hazardous Substances Inorganic Chemicals Lung Lung Diseases Men Minerals Occupational Health Radiography Respiratory System Respiratory Tract Diseases Risk Assessment Risk Factors Safety Surveys And Questionnaires Women

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• Keywords:
  Chest Radiography Environmental Exposure Exposure Levels Fibrous Bodies Gravel Hazards Health Hazards Humans Lung Disease Lung Disorders Questionnaires Risk Factors Road Construction Road Surfacing

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• ISSN:
  1076-2752
• Document Type:
  Text
• Funding:
  Grant
• Genre:
  Journal Article
• Place as Subject:
  Colorado ; North Dakota ; Ohio ; OSHA Region 5 ; OSHA Region 8
• CIO:
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
• Topic:
  Workplace Safety & Health
• Location:
  North America
• Volume:
  53
• Issue:
  8
• NIOSHTIC Number:
  nn:20050268
• Citation:
  J Occup Environ Med 2011 Aug; 53(8):892-898
• Contact Point Address:
  Patrick H. Ryan, PhD, 3223 Eden Ave, PO Box 670056, Cincinnati, OH 45267
• Email:
  patrick.ryan@uc.edu
• CAS Registry Number:
  Asbestos (CAS RN 1332-21-4) ; Erionite ((K0-1Na0-1Ca0-0.5)10(Al10Si26O72).30H2O) (CAS RN 12510-42-8)
• Federal Fiscal Year:
  2011
• Performing Organization:
  University of Cincinnati
• Peer Reviewed:
  True
• Start Date:
  20050701
• Source Full Name:
  Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine
• End Date:
  20260630
• Collection(s):
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
• Main Document Checksum:
  urn:sha-512:fbe4cf16d2c5ab64bcc90dd5189d277bd1af521f749b6fdfb8148b15b2e8ec7401d5a3779a3a30ad0f4af9ec9dac435cf6c64137cfc140fab4c27ce0853d0874
• Download URL:
  https://stacks.cdc.gov/view/cdc/210688/cdc_210688_DS1.pdf
• File Type:
  [PDF - 338.28 KB ]