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M D Attfield

Publications and source records attributed to M D Attfield.

51 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
PubMed1983

Pneumoconiosis and lung function in a group of kaolin workers.

In June 1981, 65 current and former workers at a kaolin mine and mill were examined by chest radiography, spirometry, and a questionnaire. Five (13%) of 39 current workers and 3 (19%) of 16 former workers with 5 yr or more of exposure had radiographic evidence of pneumoconiosis. Among the 8 workers with pneumoconiosis, conglomerate upper lobe lesions were present in one half. No pneumoconiosis was observed among 8 current workers with less than 5 yr of exposure. Lung function testing showed significant reductions (p less than 0.05) in FVC, FEV1, and peak flow rate in kaolin workers compared with that in a control group. Environmental sampling during the testing period showed airborne dust to be composed of kaolinite (96%) and titanium dioxide (4%). Additional controlled epidemiologic studies among kaolin workers are needed to generate reliable prevalence data for pneumoconiosis and to assess the impact of dust exposure on pulmonary function.

Adult↗
PubMed1983

Kaolin and the lung.

Explore the source record for details and available documents.

Environmental Exposure↗
PubMed1982

Acute respiratory effects of exposure to diesel emissions in coal miners.

A study was conducted to determine if acute respiratory effects, measured in terms of changes in forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1), and maximal expiratory flow rate at 50% of forced vital capacity (Vmax50), were related to exposure to diesel emissions in coal miners. Sixty coal miners exposed to diesel emissions and 90 miners not exposed were tested before and after a work shift for ventilatory function changes. Significant work shift decrements in ventilatory function did occur in miners in both groups who smoked cigarettes, but there were no significant differences in the ventilatory function changes between those miners exposed to diesel emissions and those not exposed either in the aggregate or under control by smoking status.

Adult↗
PubMed1980

Reproducibility of pulmonary function tests under laboratory and field conditions.

The reproducibility of pulmonary function tests in the laboratory and in a mobile field survey vehicle has been studied. Groups of laboratory workers were studied at base and a random sample of 38 coalminers was examined in the mobile laboratory. The intra-subject variability of some newer tests of lung function, including closing volume and maximum flow at low lung volumes, has been compared with that of well-established tests, such as lung volumes and forced expiratory volume from two measurements made more than one day apart. Most measurements were slightly less reproducible in the study of coalminers than in the laboratory personnel. Conventional tests, such as forced expiratory volume in one second, lung volumes, single breath CO transfer factor, and exercise ventilation were very reproducible, the coefficients of variation (cov) being generally between 5% and 10%. The closing volume test, maximum expiratory flow at low lung volumes, and the single breath N2 index were less reproducible: cov between 15% and 39% in the miners. The forced expired time and volume of isoflow, measured only on laboratory workers, however, exhibited greater reproducibility than previously reported (cov = 10% and 15% respectively). It is suggested that, when assessing the repeatability of lung function tests, account should be taken of the circumstances in which the intra-subject variability was measured.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1978

Radiological abnormalities in electric-arc welders.

Chest radiographs of 661 British electric-arc welders have been examined by three film readers experienced in the radiology of pneumoconiosis. About 7% of the welders showed signs of small rounded opacities of category 0/1 or greater. No definite evidence of large opacities (Progressive Massive Fibrosis) was seen. The prevalence of chest abnormalities other than pneumoconiosis was 7%. A clear association between prevalence of small rounded opacities of category 0/1 or greater and years of exposure to fumes was established, although few signs of severe grades of simple pneumoconiosis were seen.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1975

Smoking and coalworkers' simple pneumoconiosis.

The attack rate of simple pneumoconiosis in 2723 British coal miners is considered in relation to the men's dust exposures and smoking habits. A complementary analysis is presented, using less precise radiological data, of prevalence and attack rates in an independent group of miners. One of the analyses suggests that, at high dust exposures, smoking may be associated with an increased risk of developing pneumoconiosis: but the most sensitive statistical test used reveals that the apparent effect might well be due to change factors (P not less than 0.09). The possibility is investigated that the net observed effect is the resultant of conflicting tendencies in sub-groups characterized by their responses to questions on phlegm production. There is no evidence to support this hypothesis. It is concluded that the main variable determining the development of simple pneumoconiosis is exposure to airborne dust, and that this effect is not modified appreciably by whether or not coal miners smoke.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Morbidity survey of U.S. oil shale workers employed during 1948-1969.

The health status of 325 oil shale workers employed at the Anvil Points, Colorado, demonstration facility from 1948 to 1969 was evaluated. As a comparison population, 323 Utah coal miners frequency matched for age were studied. The prevalence of respiratory symptoms among oil shale workers who smoked were similar to the coal miners who smoked, although nonsmoking oil shale workers had fewer symptoms compared to nonsmoking coal workers. Four cases of skin cancers were found on the oil shale workers and eight cases in the controls. Similar numbers of nevi, telangiectasiae, possible pitch warts, pigment changes (solar/senile lentigo), and papillomata (seborrheic keratoses and skin tags) were seen in both groups, while actinic keratoses were more frequent in the oil shale workers. The prevalence of actinic keratoses was significantly associated with oil shale work after allowing for age, sun exposure, and other exposures. The prevalence of pulmonary cytology metaplasia was associated with years of production work in oil shale among both smokers and exsmokers. More of the oil shale workers had atypical cells in the urine, but the excess was mostly found among exsmokers. Although these workers had short-term and limited oil shale exposure work exposure, we recommend that medical surveillance of oil shale workers consider the skin, respiratory, and urinary systems for special observation.

Coal Mining↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Chest radiography in dust-exposed miners: promise and problems, potential and imperfections.

Since the early 1900s, it was recognized that many dust-exposed workers developed abnormal radiographs during life. Chest radiography remains the primary means of determining the presence and extent of dust-induced pneumoconiosis, although it is ineffective for detecting airways obstructions from mine dust exposure. This chapter reviews the uses and limitations of chest radiography in the study, surveillance, screening, clinical diagnosis, and disability determinations of occupational lung diseases in dust-exposed workers.

Asbestosis↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Chronic occupational respiratory disease.

The authors discuss various methodologic issues pertinent to the epidemiologic study of chronic occupational lung disease. Examples to illustrate problems inherent in chronic occupational lung disease epidemiology and approaches to surmounting them are presented from the extensive literature on coal miners' lung diseases.

Bias↗