Exposure to diesel fumes and dust at six potash mines.
Authors
Attfield-MD; Trabant-GD; Wheeler-RW
Source
Ann Occup Hyg, Inhaled Particles V, 1982 Sep; 26(1-4):817-831
Abstract
Worker exposures to diesel fumes and dust at six potash mines were examined. Each participant was administered a questionnaire on respiratory symptoms, work history, and smoking habits. A posterior/anterior and lateral chest radiograph was also provided. Simple spirometry was performed and maximum values of forced volume concentration (FVC) and forced expiratory volume (FEV) were taken. Personal total dust samples were collected by gravimetric methods. Total and respirable area gravimetric samples were also collected and analyzed by X-ray diffraction for free silica (14808607). Cumulative exposures were calculated by the sum of products of time spent in each job in years and concentration of total dust and nitrous-oxide (10024972) for the job within the appropriate mine. A high correlation between potash and diesel exposure was observed. For FEV, the mean residuals were obtained from predicted values derived for smoking and nonsmoking groups in mines with the lowest diesel usage and least nitrous-oxide content. The FEV and FVC values for the mine with the greatest use of diesels showed no consistent pattern that could be predicted in smoking groups. A mine that was unremarkable for its use of diesels showed the worst set of FEV residuals. The authors conclude that no trend is established between measures of diesel use, nitrous-oxide exposure, dust exposure, and worsening of health at the six potash mines.
Keywords
NIOSH-Author; Industrial-dusts; Toxic-vapors; Exposure-levels; Research; Workplace-studies; Aerosol-particles; Airborne-particles; Occupational-exposure; Respiratory-irritants; Occupational-respiratory-disease; Employee-exposure
Contact
M. D. Attfield,National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Appalachian Laboratory for Occupational Safety and Health, 944 Chestnut Ridge Road, Morgantown, WV 26505
CAS No.
14808-60-7; 10024-97-2
Document Type
Journal Article
Source Name
Annals of Occupational Hygiene, Inhaled Particles V
