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Title: Pulmonary function and respiratory symptoms in potash workers

Abstract

Over 94% of the workers in each of four Saskatchewan potash mines participated in a respiratory health surveillance program that included a questionnaire and pulmonary function tests. Compared with a nonexposed control group, potash workers had higher prevalences of cough, dyspnea, and chronic bronchitis but better pulmonary function. Prevalences of symptoms and pulmonary function abnormalities were similar among workers at the four mines tested and at the various job locations. Potash dust, diesel fumes, and other air contaminants may have an irritant effect that leads to the increased prevalences of cough and chronic bronchitis. Although we found no adverse effects of the potash mine environment on pulmonary function, these findings reflect a healthy worker effect or some selection process that makes the potash workers appear healthier in a cross-sectional study.

Authors:
; ; ; ; ;
Publication Date:
Research Org.:
Section of Respiratory Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Canada
OSTI Identifier:
7011759
Resource Type:
Journal Article
Journal Name:
JOM, J. Occup. Med.; (United States)
Additional Journal Information:
Journal Volume: 26:3
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English
Subject:
63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.; LUNGS; DYNAMIC FUNCTION STUDIES; MINERS; MEDICAL SURVEILLANCE; OCCUPATIONAL DISEASES; POTASSIUM CARBONATES; RESPIRATORY SYSTEM DISEASES; TOBACCO SMOKES; AEROSOLS; ALKALI METAL COMPOUNDS; BODY; CARBON COMPOUNDS; CARBONATES; COLLOIDS; DISEASES; DISPERSIONS; ORGANS; OXYGEN COMPOUNDS; PERSONNEL; POTASSIUM COMPOUNDS; RESIDUES; RESPIRATORY SYSTEM; SMOKES; SOLS; SURVEILLANCE; 560306* - Chemicals Metabolism & Toxicology- Man- (-1987)

Citation Formats

Graham, B L, Dosman, J A, Cotton, D J, Weisstock, S R, Lappi, V G, and Froh, F. Pulmonary function and respiratory symptoms in potash workers. United States: N. p., 1984. Web.
Graham, B L, Dosman, J A, Cotton, D J, Weisstock, S R, Lappi, V G, & Froh, F. Pulmonary function and respiratory symptoms in potash workers. United States.
Graham, B L, Dosman, J A, Cotton, D J, Weisstock, S R, Lappi, V G, and Froh, F. 1984. "Pulmonary function and respiratory symptoms in potash workers". United States.
@article{osti_7011759,
title = {Pulmonary function and respiratory symptoms in potash workers},
author = {Graham, B L and Dosman, J A and Cotton, D J and Weisstock, S R and Lappi, V G and Froh, F},
abstractNote = {Over 94% of the workers in each of four Saskatchewan potash mines participated in a respiratory health surveillance program that included a questionnaire and pulmonary function tests. Compared with a nonexposed control group, potash workers had higher prevalences of cough, dyspnea, and chronic bronchitis but better pulmonary function. Prevalences of symptoms and pulmonary function abnormalities were similar among workers at the four mines tested and at the various job locations. Potash dust, diesel fumes, and other air contaminants may have an irritant effect that leads to the increased prevalences of cough and chronic bronchitis. Although we found no adverse effects of the potash mine environment on pulmonary function, these findings reflect a healthy worker effect or some selection process that makes the potash workers appear healthier in a cross-sectional study.},
doi = {},
url = {https://www.osti.gov/biblio/7011759}, journal = {JOM, J. Occup. Med.; (United States)},
number = ,
volume = 26:3,
place = {United States},
year = {Thu Mar 01 00:00:00 EST 1984},
month = {Thu Mar 01 00:00:00 EST 1984}
}