An epidemiological study of salt miners in diesel and nondiesel mines
A cross-sectional study of 5 NaCl mines and 259 miners addressed the following questions: 1) Is there an association of increased respiratory symptoms, radiographic findings, and reduced pulmonary function with exposure to nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and/or respirable particulate (RP) among these miners. 2) Is there increased morbidity of these miners compared to other working populations. Personal samples of NO2 and respirable particulate for jobs in each mine were used to estimate cumulative exposure. NO2 is used as a surrogate measure of diesel exposure. Cough was associated with age and smoking, dyspnea with age; neither symptom was associated with exposure (years worked, estimated cumulative NO2 or RP exposure). Phlegm was associated with age, smoking, and exposure. Reduced pulmonary function (FVC, FEV1, peak, flow, FEF50, FEF75) showed no association with exposure. There was one case of small rounded and one case of small irregular opacities; pneumoconiosis was not analyzed further. Compared to underground coal miners, above ground coal miners, potash miners, and nonmining workers, the study population after adjustment for age and smoking generally showed no increased prevalence of cough, phlegm, dyspnea, or obstruction (FEV1/FVC less than 0.7). Obstruction in younger salt miners and phlegm in older salt miners was elevated compared to nonmining workers. Mean predicted pulmonary function was reduced 2-4% for FEV1 and FVC, 7-13% for FEF50, and 18-22% for FEF75 below all comparison populations.
- Research Organization:
- National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Division of Respiratory Disease Studies, Morgantown, West Virginia
- OSTI ID:
- 5893282
- Journal Information:
- Am. J. Ind. Med.; (United States), Journal Name: Am. J. Ind. Med.; (United States) Vol. 4:3; ISSN AJIMD
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
AEROSOLS
CHALCOGENIDES
COLLOIDS
DIESEL ENGINES
DISEASES
DISPERSIONS
ENGINES
EPIDEMIOLOGY
EXHAUST GASES
FLUIDS
GASEOUS WASTES
GASES
GEOLOGIC DEPOSITS
HAZARDS
HEALTH HAZARDS
HEAT ENGINES
INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINES
MINERS
NITROGEN COMPOUNDS
NITROGEN DIOXIDE
NITROGEN OXIDES
OCCUPATIONAL DISEASES
OXIDES
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
PARTICLES
PARTICULATES
PERSONNEL
RESIDUES
RESPIRATORY SYSTEM DISEASES
SALT DEPOSITS
SMOKES
SOLS
SYNERGISM
TOBACCO SMOKES
WASTES