Respirable coal dust exposure and respiratory symptoms in South-African coal miners: A comparison of current and ex-miners

Journal Article · Thu Jun 15 04:00:00 EDT 2006 · Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1097/01.jom.0000200875.99411.03· OSTI ID:20772542

Naidoo, R N; Robins, T G; Seixas, N; Lalloo, U G; Becklake, M ^[1]

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1. University of KwaZuluNatal, Congella (South Africa). Nelson R Mandela School of Medicine

Dose-response associations between respirable dust exposure and respiratory symptoms and between symptoms and spirometry outcomes among currently employed and formerly employed South-African coal miners were investigated. Work histories, interviews, and spirometry and cumulative exposure were assessed among 684 current and 212 ex-miners. Results: Lower prevalences of symptoms were found among employed compared with ex-miners. Associations with increasing exposure for symptoms of phlegm and past history of tuberculosis were observed, whereas other symptom prevalences were higher in the higher exposure categories. Symptomatic ex-miners exhibited lower lung-function compared to the nonsymptomatic. Compared with published data, symptoms rates were low in current miners but high in ex-miners. Although explanations could include the low prevalence of smoking and/or reporting/selection bias, a 'Survivor' and/or a 'hire' effect is more likely, resulting in an underestimation of the dust-related effect.

• OSTI ID: 20772542
• Journal Information: Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Journal Name: Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine Journal Issue: 6 Vol. 48; ISSN JOEMFM; ISSN 1076-2752
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

01 COAL, LIGNITE, AND PEAT
COAL MINERS
CORRELATIONS
DOSE-RESPONSE RELATIONSHIPS
DUSTS
OCCUPATIONAL EXPOSURE
RESPIRATORY SYSTEM DISEASES
SOUTH AFRICA
SYMPTOMS