Pleural Abnormalities and Exposure to Elongate Mineral Particles in Minnesota Iron Ore (Taconite) Workers

Details

• Personal Author:
  Alexander BH ; Lambert C ; MacLehose RF ; Mandel JH ; Odo N ; Perlman D ; Ramachandran G ; Ryan A
• Description:
  Background: Iron ore (taconite) mining and processing are an important industry in northern Minnesota and western Michigan. Concerns around exposures have centered largely on exposure to non-asbestiform amphibole elongate mineral particles (EMPs) found in the eastern portion of the Minnesota iron range. Methods: A cross sectional survey was undertaken of current and former taconite workers and spouses along with a detailed exposure assessment. Participants provided an occupational history and had a chest radiograph performed. Results: A total of 1188 workers participated. Potential exposures to non-amphibole EMPs were evident across multiple jobs in all active mines. Pleural abnormalities were found in 16.8% of workers. There was an association of pleural abnormalities with cumulative EMP exposure that was not specific to the eastern portion of the range. Conclusion: There was evidence of a mild to moderate increase in pleural abnormalities in this population of miners, associated with geographically non-specific cumulative EMP exposure. [Description provided by NIOSH]
• Subjects:
  Dust Epidemiology Lung Mining Occupational Exposure Occupational Health Pneumoconiosis Radiography Respiratory System Respiratory Tract Diseases Safety

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• Keywords:
  Author Keywords: Chest X-ray Chest X-rays Cross Sectional Studies Elongate Mineral Particles Mineral Dusts Mine Workers Mining Industry Occupational Exposure Pleural Cavity Respiratory Diseases Taconite

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• ISSN:
  0271-3586
• Document Type:
  Text
• Funding:
  Grant
• Genre:
  Journal Article
• Place as Subject:
  California ; Maryland ; Michigan ; Minnesota ; OSHA Region 3 ; OSHA Region 5 ; OSHA Region 9
• CIO:
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
• Topic:
  Workplace Safety & Health
• Location:
  North America
• Pages in Document:
  391-399
• Volume:
  61
• Issue:
  5
• NIOSHTIC Number:
  nn:20064440
• Citation:
  Am J Ind Med 2018 May; 61(5):391-399
• Contact Point Address:
  Jeffrey H. Mandel, MD, Division of Environmental Health Sciences, University of Minnesota School of Public Health, 420 Delaware Street SE, MMC 807, Minneapolis 55455, MN
• Email:
  mand0125@umn.edu
• CAS Registry Number:
  Taconite (CAS RN 12249-26-2)
• Federal Fiscal Year:
  2018
• Performing Organization:
  University of Minnesota Twin Cities
• Peer Reviewed:
  True
• Start Date:
  20050701
• Source Full Name:
  American Journal of Industrial Medicine
• End Date:
  20250630
• Collection(s):
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
• Main Document Checksum:
  urn:sha-512:5a177df26aeb3b375327cf632066a9f25c8ded52f7e2150cabcb37f182d8d1a9a02ebd39522053ed00ffc973973c4133a5d3164e4cdf4c242038f5e18cc992c4
• Download URL:
  https://stacks.cdc.gov/view/cdc/222896/cdc_222896_DS1.pdf
• File Type:
  [PDF - 421.57 KB ]