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Query: UMLS:C0032273 (pneumoconiosis)
 1,578 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

The article provides the results of studies of 167 cases affected with occupationally-related pneumoconiosis and dust bronchitis. 117 patients were treated with complex resort therapy including under-water massage, and 50 patients were given the same complex therapy without shower massage. The effectiveness of the therapeutic techniques were evaluated basing on both objective and subjective criteria, including supplementary laboratory and functional techniques. The results were positive in both groups, but in the major group, the favourable shifts were more expressed but statistically were not reliable. Thus, the underwater shower massage may be regarded as a positive but not decisive factor in the complex resort treatment of occupational diseases of lungs.
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PMID:[Effectiveness of climatic health resort complex treatment of patients with pneumoconiosis and dust-induced bronchitis using underwater massage shower]. 183 6

Investigations into the reasons for the retarded growth and discolouration of a small area of a field of rape situated on the outskirts of Vienna revealed higher than normal levels of molybdenum in the soil (up to 430 micrograms/l) and in the water (up to 9.7 mg/l). The source of the pollution was traced to a neighbouring industrial plant that was emitting the metal via the chimney stack. A review of the literature on the toxic effects of molybdenum in general and as an air pollutant in particular is provided. This shows that, in contrast to animals, this effect is relatively small in humans and plants. Nevertheless, the occupation-related inhalation of the metal has been shown to be associated with pneumoconiosis and gout-like symptoms.
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PMID:[Molybdenum as an air pollutant]. 220 16

The dry and windy climate of the Western Canadian prairie provinces, combined with large scale agricultural activities, results in aerosolization or organic and mineral dusts. The purpose of this study was to conduct an environmental and minerological analysis of these dusts in order to estimate the risk for pneumoconiosis in exposed farmer populations. Two districts in central/southern Alberta were chosen for study. One of these regions was representative of a predominantly grain growing district with minimal use of irrigation; the other region was largely devoted to forage and irrigated crop production. Air pollution statistics showed a bi-modal distribution of total suspended particulates (TSP) with peaks corresponding with maximal farm activities in the spring and early fall. Analysis of bulk dust samples obtained from tractor cab filters showed that the majority of particles from both districts were within the respirable range (less than 5 microns). Samples from the forage-crop region contained more organic material, a greater water soluble fraction and had particles that were, on average, smaller and rounder than particles from the grain district. These differences were thought to reflect differences in irrigation patterns and use of fertilizers between the two districts. Free silica (quartz) content was also very variable and ranged from 1 to 17% on a mass basis. Respirable fibrous minerals were occasionally identified, however, no asbestos fibres, fibrous tremolite, or fibrous zeolites were identified. The results indicate that there is potential risk for mineral dust pneumoconiosis in heavily exposed farmer populations and that this risk will be influenced by local and regional factors.
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PMID:Characterization of airborne mineral dusts associated with farming activities in rural Alberta, Canada. 224 59

For the period from 1973 to the end of 1986, 70,656 data sets on occupational preventive medical examinations in employees exposed occupationally to asbestos dust (G 1.2) were made available to us by the Central Registry for Employees Exposed to Asbestos Dust (ZAS). On the basis of this data, an analysis of asbestosis risk was to be made in relation to specific areas of work, taking into consideration the beginning and duration of exposure. Proceedings for declaratory appraisal in accordance with occupational disease no. 4103 were instituted in 1760 cases in the report period. In accordance with the character of the available data, the X-ray findings in the lungs were available from the persons investigated as parameters of possible asbestosis risk on the basis of coding consistent with the International Pneumoconiosis Classification (ILO U/C 1971 and/or ILO 1980 West Germany). The major result of the statistical analyses on the mainframe macrocomputer of the University of Erlangen-Nuremberg was that the relatively highest risk of asbestosis was present in persons whose exposure began before 1955. On the other hand, with increasing duration of exposure, an unequivocal rise of the asbestosis risk could not be detected on the basis of the overall population. In relation to the individual fields of work, the relatively highest risk of asbestosis was shown to be in the asbestos textile and paper industry, as well as in the asbestos cement industry. No detectable risk of asbestosis was present in the fields of mining, traffic and health service and for women in the industrial sectors of building material, gas and water, catering trade, building, commerce as well as banking and insurance. Accordingly, it can be assumed that certain fields of work are or were exposed to such a small extent or not at all that a risk of asbestosis which is relevant in terms of occupational medicine is no longer to be assumed or was not to be assumed. This applies above all to certain work in the frictional coating (brake lining) and asbestos paper industry. Furthermore, the analysis of the data material did not provide any unequivocal indications that inhalative smoking habits have a negative effect on the risk of asbestosis. In principle, it can be stated that the occupational preventive medical investigations according to G 1.2 are effective.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
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PMID:Health hazards from fine asbestos dusts. An analysis of 70,656 occupational preventive medical investigations from 1973 to the end of 1986. 280 71

The American oil shale industry is on the threshold of commercial industrial development. Potential occupational hazards include shalosis or oil shale pneumoconiosis, dermatoses, cancer of the skin, lung, and possibly other sites, and accidents. Air, water, and solid waste pollution problems are complicated by the aridity of the Green River oil shale formation located in Utah, Colorado, and Wyoming. The region currently lacks the schools, health facilities, community services, and skilled labor required for large-scale development. The oil shale industry faces an opportunity and a challenge of prudently assessing and controlling exposures and contributing to the social development of the region.
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PMID:Occupational and environmental health problems of the developing oil shale industry: a review. 628 98

The paper reports a case of silicosis associated with idiopathic unilateral hyperlucent lung--MacLeod's disease (ML)--in a 65-year old miner. ML had not been diagnosed before this clinical observation and the patient had been exposed to silica dust for about 15 years as a truck operator in water supply tunnelling work in central Italy. Impaired ventilatory function due to left pulmonary dystrophy was the favouring or even the causal factor of dust accumulation in the functionally active right lung and of the tissue reaction to the dust, leading to interstitial fibrosis. A radiological diagnosis of p 1/0 pneumoconiosis was made according to the 1980 International Labour Office classification. Clinical, radiological and functional findings indicated the presence of respiratory failure as a result of the sum of silicotic and dystrophic lesions. Two combined pulmonary scintigraphic examinations with Tc99 perfusional and mTc-DPTA inhalatory methods revealed peculiar alterations: absence of ventilation associated with severe vascular impairment in the left lung, inequality of the ventilation/perfusion rate, due to pneumoconiosis, in the right lung. MacLeod's disease is rare, but must be considered as a mandatory contra-indication for work involving dust exposure risk since it is one of the predisposing factors which can cause an occupational disease even if environmental exposure standards are observed.
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PMID:[Pulmonary silicosis associated with MacLeod syndrome: a case report]. 811 52

The present paper depicts salient features of environment and living conditions with the comparison of various diseases prevalent among underground coal miners, surface workers, asbestos mine workers and general population of Jharia-Dhanbad coalfield as conducted by CMRS during the past few years. The investigations on coal miners' community comprise of different morbid conditions with respiratory (22%), Pneumoconiosis (11.6%), Skin (35%), Eye (29%), Intestinal parasitic infestation (44.6%), Anaemia (42%), Immunostatus (V.D.R.L. Positive-19.9%), Status of injuries and Blood pressure, Water-borne diseases, housing facilities and excreta disposal. The paper also includes the analysis of disease pattern obtained from hospital records of two coal mines which depicts 19.1%, 24.7% and 16% members of coal miners' families suffering from disorder with respiratory, gastro-intestinal and fever respectively. With speedy industrialization of the country, the mining of coal resource comes first in the chain of socio-economic development. The speedy human industrial activities are based on 80% steam, metallurgical and thermal electrical energy which hinges on coal wings. The coal has also gradually occupied all the phases of social life, our clothes, books, newspapers, cooking gas, chemical paints, dye stuff, oil phenyl, Benzene, Naphthalene, Coal tar, scents and various types of unaccountable products come out from coal derivatives and pushed to serve in the today's market for our daily exigencies. Every day one finds a new coal based industry is coming up in the area. The coal is utilized in two hundred ways in our various walks of social life.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
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PMID:Health care challenge in coal mines community. 1013 Sep 26

Molybdenum does not exist naturally in the pure metallic form and of the 5 oxidation states (2-6) the predominant species are Mo(IV) and Mo(VI). Molybdenum rapidly polymerizes to a wide variety of complex polymolybdate compounds in solution. The vast majority of molybdenum is used in metallurgical applications (stainless steel, cast-iron alloys). Ammonium tetrathiomolybdate is an experimental chelating agent for Wilson's disease. For the general population, the diet is the most important source of molybdenum and concentrations in water and air usually are negligible. The average daily dietary intake is about 0.1-0.5 mg m.o. Molybdenum is an essential element with relatively low toxicity. Enzymes containing molybdenum catalyze basic metabolic reactions in the carbon, sulfur, and nitrogen cycles. Elimination of molybdenum occurs via the kidney and usually is complete within several weeks. Molybdenosis (teart) is a form of molybdenum toxicity that produces a disease in ruminants similar to copper-deficiency. Little data are available on the human toxicity of molybdenum. A gout-like syndrome and pneumoconiosis have been associated with excessive concentrations of molybdenum, but the inadequate design of the studies prevents an adequate determination of the etiology of these effects.
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PMID:Molybdenum. 1038 58

The SWORD surveillance scheme, now 10 years old, uses systematic reporting from physicians to provide a picture of the incidence of occupational respiratory disease in the United Kingdom. An estimated total of 2966 incident cases was derived from reports by chest and occupational physicians during the 1998 calendar year. Occupational asthma continues to be the most-reported respiratory condition, with an estimated 822 cases (27% of total cases). The proportion of cases of mesothelioma (23%), benign pleural disease (21%) pneumoconiosis (7%) and inhalation injuries (6%) remain similar to those estimated in past years, although fewer cases overall were reported. The most commonly identified agents causing asthma in 1998 were enzymes, isocyanates, laboratory animals and insects, colophony and fluxes, flour, latex, and glutaraldehyde. An increased incidence of respiratory diseases of short latency was seen in mining, whilst cases in chemical, mineral products and motor vehicle manufacture remained high; lower rates were noted in wood products and textile manufacture when compared with 1997 figures. Inhalation accidents over the past 3 years were reviewed; gaseous agents and combustion products accounted for nearly half of cases. High rates for inhalation injuries were seen in coal miners, fuel production, motor vehicle manufacturing, water purification, and chemical manufacturing.
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PMID:SWORD '98: surveillance of work-related and occupational respiratory disease in the UK. 1065

A great deal of study has gone into the assessment of the epidemiology of NTM infection and disease in many different parts of the world. Review of the available studies provides insight into the frequency of this clinical problem as well as important limitations in current data. Study methods have varied greatly, undoubtedly leading to differing biases. In general, reported rates of infection and disease are likely underestimates, with the former probably less accurate than the latter, given that people without significant symptoms are not likely to have intensive investigations to detect infection. Pulmonary NTM is a problem with differing rates in various parts of the world. North American rates of infection and disease have been reported to range from approximately 1-15 per 100,000 and 0.1-2 per 100,000, respectively (see Table 1). Rates have been observed to increase with coincident decreases in TB. MAC has been reported most commonly, followed by rapid growers and M kansasii. Generally similar rates have been reported in European studies, with the exception of extremely high rates in an area of the Czech Republic where mining is the dominant industry (see Table 2). These studies have also shown marked geographic variability in prevalence. The only available population-based studies have been in South Africa and report extremely high rates of infection, three orders of magnitude greater than studies from other parts of the world (see Table 3). This undoubtedly reflects the select population with an extremely high rate of TB and resultant bronchiectasis leading to NTM infection. Rates in Japan and Australia were similar to those reported in Europe and North America and also show significant increases over time (see Table 3). Specific risk factors have been identified in several studies. CF and HIV, mentioned above, are two important high-risk groups. Other important factors include underlying chronic lung disease, work in the mining industry, warm climate, advancing age, and male sex. Aside from HIV and CF, mining with associated high rates of pneumoconiosis and previous TB may be the most important historically, reported in studies worldwide [63]. A recurring observation is the increase in rates of infection and disease. The reason for this is unclear but may be caused by any of several contributing factors. The possibility exists that the apparent increase is either spurious or less significant than studies would suggest. Changes in clinician awareness leading to increased investigations, or laboratory methods leading to isolation and identification of previously unnoticed organisms, could play a role in this trend, and studies have been published that support [67] and refute [31] this argument. We believe such factors may contribute to but do not explain the significant increases that have been observed. A true increase could be related to the host, the pathogen, or some interaction between the two. Host changes leading to increased susceptibility could play an important role, with increased numbers of patients with inadequate defenses from diseases such as HIV infection, malignancy, or simply advanced age [31]. An increase in susceptibility could also relate to the decrease in infection with two other mycobacteria. It has been speculated that infection with TB [29,38] and Bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) [19,68] may provide cross-immunity protecting against NTM infection. Many investigations have observed decreasing rates of TB concomitant with the increases in NTM. In addition, studies from Sweden [68] and the Czech Republic [19] have found that children who were not vaccinated with BCG had a far higher rate of extrapulmonary NTM infection. Potential changes in the pathogens include increases in NTM virulence, and it has been argued that this should be considered as a possible contributing factor [69]. Finally, an interaction between the host and pathogen could involve a major increase in pathogen exposure or potential inoculum size. This may be occurring secondary to the increase in popularity of showering as a form of bathing [66], a habit that greatly increases respiratory exposure to water contaminants. Several limitations of our review should be noted. We reviewed English-language reports and abstracts, probably leading to fewer data from non-English speaking regions, which may explain the paucity of studies from Africa, Eastern Europe, and most Asian nations. The heterogeneity of study methods in identifying cases and the lack of a uniformly applied definition of disease makes it difficult to compare rates between studies. Finally, the lack of systematic reporting of NTM infection in most nations limits the ability to derive accurate estimates of infection and disease. Regardless, there are more than adequate data to conclude that NTM disease rates vary widely depending on population and geographic location. NTM disease is clearly a major problem in certain groups, including patients with underlying lung disease and also in individuals with impaired immunity. The rates of NTM infection and disease are increasing, so the problem will likely continue to grow and become a far more important issue than current rates suggest.
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PMID:Epidemiology of human pulmonary infection with nontuberculous mycobacteria. 1237 Sep 92


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