Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

K M Bang

Publications and source records attributed to K M Bang.

29 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1986

Longitudinal evaluation of pulmonary function in copper smelter workers exposed to sulfur dioxide.

From 1973 to 1974, a longitudinal study of pulmonary function in 113 Utah copper smelter workers reported significant declines in FVC and FEV1 related to sulfur dioxide exposure. In 1980, we performed a 7-yr follow-up study, finding significant increases in FVC and FEV1. The 66 follow-up participants were similar to those 47 lost to follow-up with regard to age and initial pulmonary function. Subgroups of smelter workers with initial higher exposures to sulfur dioxide and FEV1 less than 90% predicted did not show an accelerated rate of decline. To reconcile these differences between the 2 studies, we reevaluated the spirometry curves from 1973 and 1974. All had short expiratory times, with none 6 s or longer, whereas all of the curves from the spirograms obtained in 1980 exceeded 6 s. In addition, from 1980 to 1983, we performed a longitudinal study of 48 of the original workers, finding small annual mean declines for FVC of 6 ml and FEV1 of 5 ml. Personal exposures to sulfur dioxide were not significantly different in 1982 than in 1976; thus, we were unable to corroborate the findings of the initial longitudinal study.

Copper↗
PubMed1984

Pneumoconiosis and exposures of dental laboratory technicians.

One hundred and seventy-eight dental laboratory technicians and 69 non-exposed controls participated in an epidemiological respiratory study. Eight technicians who had a mean of 28 years' grinding nonprecious metal alloys were diagnosed as having a simple pneumoconiosis by chest radiograph. Mean values for per cent predicted FVC and FEV1 were reduced among male nonsmoker technicians compared to male nonsmoker controls; after controlling for age, there was also a reduction in spirometry with increasing work-years. An industrial hygiene survey was conducted in 13 laboratories randomly selected from 42 laboratories stratified by size and type of operation in the Salt Lake City, Utah metropolitan area. Personal exposures to beryllium and cobalt exceeded the Threshold Limit Values (TLVs) in one laboratory. Occupational exposures in dental laboratories need to be controlled to prevent beryllium-related lung disorders as well as simple pneumoconiosis.

Adult↗
PubMed1983

A study of dermatitis in trona miners and millers.

Trona (sodium sesquicarbonate) is mined from an underground deposit in Wyoming and processed for use in the manufacture of glass, paper, and detergents, and in chemical applications. Trona dust is alkaline (pH 10.5) and may have an irritant effect on the respiratory airways, mucous membranes, and the skin. One hundred forty-two underground miners and 88 surface workers from one trona facility participated voluntarily in an epidemiologic and clinical study. Their mean age was 37.6 and their mean working period, 10.0 years. One half of the study participants complained of skin symptoms; dermatologic symptoms increased from twofold to fifteenfold after the subjects began trona mining. Trona dermatitis consists of pruritic, erythematous, raised, dry, and fissured lesions commonly affecting the hands, arms, and legs. A dose-response relationship was observed among underground workers. Patch testing with 10% aqueous trona and sodium carbonate was negative, suggesting that the dermatitis was primarily irritant in nature.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

An epidemiologic study of the respiratory effects of trona dust.

Trona (sodium sesquicarbonate) is mined from an underground deposit in Wyoming and processed for use in glass, paper, detergent, and chemical applications. Trona dust is alkaline (pH 10.5) and can have an irritant effect on respiratory airways, mucous membranes, and the skin. A study population of 142 underground miners and 88 surface workers from one facility volunteered for an epidemiologic study. Their mean age was 37.6 yr and mean duration of employment was 10.0 yr. The percentage with chronic cough and phlegm was 23%; both symptoms were more common among smokers than nonsmokers. Thirty-three percent of the workers complained of dyspnea when hurrying on level ground or walking up a slight hill. Half of the workers complained of upper respiratory tract symptoms and eye irritation. Both smokers and exsmokers had significant declines of forced expiratory volume in 1 sec (FEV1.0) with age; exsmokers also had declines with work-years when compared to a nonsmoking comparison population. Nonsmokers with personal dust measurements had a significant decline of FEV1.0 related to respirable dust exposure. A shift study of 104 workers revealed a significant fall in FEV1.0 among nonsmokers and surface workers. Significance was approached in the high dust exposure group. An increase in the mean percent predicted forced vital capacity and FEV1.0 was shown for the 125 workers who had a 5-yr follow-up of pulmonary function. There was no correlation between the shift study decrements and the longitudinal 5-yr follow-up. Industrial hygiene dust sampling found elevated levels of total dust but lower respirable dust, with no detectable free silica.

Bicarbonates↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Reversible beryllium sensitization in a prospective study of beryllium workers.

Chronic beryllium disease is a granulomatous and fibrotic pulmonary disorder with increased numbers and percentage of lymphocytes in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid similar to that found in hypersensitivity pneumonitis. Blastogenic lymphocyte transformation (LT) to beryllium salts has been described in lavage and blood lymphocytes in patients with chronic beryllium disease. We conducted a 3-yr prospective study to evaluate the relationship between LT and beryllium exposure and pulmonary changes consistent with chronic beryllium disease. There were 15.9% (13/82) positive LTs in 1979 and 8.2% (5/61) in 1982. Of 11 positive LTs in 1979, 8 were negative in 1982, concomitant with a significant reduction in exposure. A positive LT was not associated with reduced pulmonary function, and no radiographic changes consistent with beryllium disease were identified. We propose that LT in beryllium workers is related to exposure and is reversible when exposure levels are reduced through diligent industrial hygiene measures.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Recent trends of age-specific pneumoconiosis mortality rates in the United States, 1985-1996: coal workers' pneumoconiosis, asbestosis, and silicosis.

The authors examined the temporal trends of age-specific pneumoconiosis mortality from coal worker's pneumoconiosis (CWP), asbestosis, and silicosis in the United States in 1985-1996. Mortality data were derived from the National Center for Health Statistics multiple causes of death files for the period. Age-specific mortality rates were computed for three age groups (15-44, 45-64, and > or = 65 years) among decedents with mention of CWP, asbestosis, or silicosis. Linear regression analysis was performed to examine the annual changes in age-specific mortality rates, by age group, with each specific condition. The CWP mortality rates declined significantly (p = 0.0001) in the groups 45 years old and older, but not in the age group 15-44. Asbestosis mortality rates declined significantly (p = 0.005) for the age group 45-64, while increasing (p = 0.0001) for those aged 65 years and older. However, in the younger age group 15-44, the rates showed no significant trend. Silicosis mortality rates declined significantly (p = 0.0001) for all groups. The continued occurrence of deaths from CWP, asbestosis, and silicosis among young adults may be the result of high levels of exposure to occupational risks. These results suggest that pneumoconiosis surveillance may help to evaluate the temporal pneumoconiosis mortality patterns in the United States.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Respiratory disease risks in the construction industry.

This chapter focuses on the primary identified respiratory hazards in construction, including respiratory tract cancers, pulmonary and pleural fibrosis, airway diseases, inhalation injuries, and respiratory infection. An extensive table identifies the exposure limits specified by NIOSH, OSHA, and ACGIH for more than 30 substances.

Cause of Death↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Applications of occupational epidemiology.

The development of occupational epidemiology has been steadily accelerating, both with regard to methodology and the number of studies being conducted. This chapter reviews the general applications of occupational epidemiology and illustrates some of the various studies reported in the literature in order to assist in the practical application of the epidemiologic approach.

Epidemiology↗