Authors
Attfield-MD; Hodous-TK
Source
Am Rev Respir Dis 1992 Mar; 145(3):605-609
Abstract
A study was undertaken of data collected from 7139 U.S. coal miners using linear regression analysis to relate estimates of cumulative dust exposure to several pulmonary function variables measured during medical examinations undertaken between 1969 and 1971. The findings demonstrated clear exposure response relationships between various pulmonary function parameters and estimated cumulative dust exposure in this large cohort. Negative correlations were found between measures of cumulative exposure and forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1), forced vital capacity (FVC), and the FEV1/FVC ratio. The results indicated that miners working in dusty conditions of 6mg/m3 could experience average effects not unlike those seen for smokers. These results were generally consistent with findings from a study of British underground coal miners. The authors conclude that adverse effects of coal mine dust exposure could be noted on pulmonary function even in the absence of radiographically detected pneumoconiosis.
Keywords
NIOSH-Author; Respiratory-system-disorders; Coal-dust; Mining-industry; Underground-miners; Lung-function; Pulmonary-function-tests; Coal-workers-pneumoconiosis
Contact
Michael D. Attfield, Division of Respiratory Disease Studies, NIOSH, 944 Chestnut Ridge Road, Morgantown, WV 26505
Document Type
Journal Article
Priority Area
Respiratory-system-disorders
Source Name
American Review of Respiratory Disease