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[Experience with ambulatory functional x-ray studies of coal mine workers for the early detection of occupational lung diseases].

In 3,287 miners and other coal mine workers clinical and photofluorographic complex investigations of the respiratory system were carried out with the new method of photofluoropneumopolygraphy. Its use within the annual prophylactic investigation of the miners increases the effectiveness of the early detection of lung disease to 21.2%. The diagnostic accuracy of photofluorography for the evaluation of the adaptability of the organism in coal mine work and for respiratory dysadaptation disorder increases significantly. Photofluoropneumopolygraphy is recommended for the annual prophylactic lung investigation of coal miners.

Adult↗

Termination of health benefits for Pittston mine workers: impact on the health and security of miners and their families.

Mine workers represented by the United Mine Workers of America (UMWA) have had comprehensive medical care coverage since 1950. On February 1, 1988, UMWA employees of the Pittston Coal Group had their health care benefits abruptly terminated. Renewal of these benefits became a major reason for the subsequent UMWA strike against Pittston. In December, 1989, physician interviewers were organized to document the human experience of this termination of health care benefits. This report summarizes these interviews, and concludes that the UMWA experience in the Pittston coal fields is one example of the barriers to health care experienced by an increasing proportion of the United States population.

Adolescent↗

Authorized limits of radon daughter products in Polish underground metal-ore mines in the light of experience.

The paper presents the results of measurements of individual exposures of miners to radioactive radon daughter products, naturally existing in air of metal-ore mines. Results concern the three year period between 1985 and 1987, during which the observed annual average concentrations were stable and have been recognised as values corresponding to the steady state. They are presented and analysed assuming several possible values of the Authorized Limit of the exposure of miners to radon daughter products. The values: 1 WLM, 2.5 WLM, 3.5 WLM (Working Level Month) were considered and compared with the value of 5 WLM, which is currently the basic limit recommended by the International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP), and approved by the WHO, ILO and IAEA. Though the value of 3.5 WLM is presently adopted and officially authorized in Poland as the Authorized Limit of annual individual miners' exposure, the results presented in this paper lead to the conclusion that the value of 2.5 WML could be adopted instead of the current one. This means that the present limit could be decreased by about 30% and without causing any social, technological and economic problems in Polish metal-ore mines.

Air Pollutants, Occupational↗

[Causes and types of eye injuries in miners and employees of coal mines].

One hundred and ninety workers from the coal mines were examined in the years 1977-79 at various work stands and also treated as out-patients and/or hospitalized. The ocular injuries were divided into mechanical trauma and burns. In the analyzed material the percentage of minor trauma amounted 72.5 per cent, severe ocular injuries occurred in 18.5 p.c. of cases; in 4 p.c. ensued a permanent incapacity for work in a coal mine.

Accidents, Occupational↗

[Distribution of under-pit noise of coal mining].

Noise distribution of a medium size coal mine was studied. There were 17 kinds of machine noise sources with an additional noise due firing of the gun. 449 sets of machine were distributed at the different canes and working places. Over 3000 workers were exposed to this noise. Noise intensity level of machines was 78.5-117 dB(A), of firing-a-gun 128 dB(A), the main working group Leq exceeded criterion (90 dB(A)) by 3-20 dB(A). Coal excavating machine had a high noise intensity level. These results may have reference value for investigation of noise pollution in the coal mines of China.

Arteriosclerosis↗

[Hygienic and ergonomic analysis of the technology for sinking main and subsidiary mine shafts].

The labour conditions in mine shafts do not correspond to the existing ergonomic and hygienic norms. Drilling and blasting techniques are most hazardous as to the gravity and duration of the factors involved. Working conditions normalization should be based on the elaboration of specifically innovative technologies which should envisage the workers' periodic staying in the mine shaft area during the work shift.

Coal Mining↗

Generation of free oxygen radicals from human polymorphonuclear granulocytes by cytokines from human mononuclear cells, treated with quartz dust DQ12 or coal mine dust TF-1--new aspects in pathogenesis of pneumoconiosis.

We report about the release of a soluble mediator(s) from cultured human monocytes/macrophages after exposure to quartz dust DQ12 or coal mine dust TF-1. This mediator(s) activates isolated human polymorphonuclear granulocytes (PMN) to generation of free oxygen radicals. The strong and long-lasting production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), especially of superoxide anion, was measured as lucigenin dependent chemiluminescence (CL). Studies of mediator exposed PMN with the NBT-test (nitroblue-tetrazolium test) also demonstrated the strong activation of PMN. Electromicroscopical studies of mediator exposed PMN showed strong chemotactic changes in a time dependent manner and suggested the release of lysosomal products. According to these properties we called the mediator(s) "granulocyte activating mediator(s)" (GRAM). Biochemical characterisation indicated a protein nature of GRAM. High pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC) gel-filtration suggested that two molecules or two fragments of one molecule with a m.w. of about 20 kda and just below 10 kda resp. were responsible for the observed effects. PMN are potent inflammatory cells, which are known to immigrate in the lung tissue, especially in the early phases of silicosis. ROS released by activated PMN can act tissue destroying, mutagenic and are probably involved in collagene synthesis by regulation of activity of prolylhydroxylase. Mediator induced release of ROS seems to be an important event in development of lung fibrosis and presents a new mechanism of quartz dust and coal mine dust fibrogenicity.

Biological Factors↗

Cross-sectional study of uranium mine workers to develop predictive equations for lung functions with reference to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

As the first part of a prospective epidemiological study of the lung function and dust exposure of workers at the Rössing Uranium Mine in SWA/Namibia, various measurements of lung function of 1,407 workers were carried out. This was necessary in order to follow up any chronic obstructive pulmonary disease that might develop. The opportunity was used to test existing prediction formulae and to develop formulae for normal values for workers at the Rössing mine.

Adult↗

Methane asphyxia. Coal mine accident investigation of distribution of gas.

Death from asphyxia due to substitution of air by methane gas may occur in coal mine by gas outburst. In such a case, it is required to determine methane gas contents from cadaveric blood and tissues for diagnosing cause of death and estimating conditions of the accident. The methane concentration in blood and tissue samples of 22 male victims by a gas outburst accident was measured by gas chromatography. The level of methane in the cardiac blood was in the range of 6.8-26.8 microliters/g. As a model of gas outburst in coal mine, rats were exposed experimentally to various concentrations of methane. Their course of death and methane distribution in the bodies were observed. From these findings, diagnostic criteria for asphyxia from substitution of air by methane are also discussed.

Accidents, Occupational↗

[Dust prevention in Belgian coal mines. Situation at the beginning of 1974].

The present communication gives a general view of the methods of dust control in the Belgian coal mines at the beginning of 1974. The statistical data received from the mines are presented in tabular form. The length and the output of coal faces treated by the classical methods of pre-spraying of the wall, wet cutting, water infusion and wet pneumatic picks, are given separately; in some cases two or more of these techniques are used together on the same coal face. The number of stone drivages in which different methods of dust control are used, are also given.

Belgium↗

[Medico-legal studies on the deaths from coal-mine accidents. 1. Cadaveric phenomena (author's transl)].

The authors have investigated the cadaveric phenomena on 30 persons killed in coal-mine accidents being kept in pits for a long time after death. The conclusions are as follows: The appearance and progress of cadaveric phenomena in pits depend on the postmortem interval alone, not on the immediate causes of death which have been found to be of seven classes in coal-mine accidents. The phenomena on cadavers kept in pits are the same as those in the air of normal temperature on earth. The reason may be that there are both accelerative factors and suppressive factors among various environmental factors in pits after occurrence of accident and they offset each other to make no difference between cadavers in pits and those on earth.

Accidents, Occupational↗

[Dust control in Belgian coal mines. Conditions at the beginning of 1979].

The present communication gives a general view of the methods of dust control in the Belgian coal mines at the beginning of 1979. The statistical data received from the mines are presented in tabular form. The length and the output of coal faces treated by the classical methods of pre-spraying of the wall, wet cutting and water infusion are given separately; in some cases two or more of these technics are used together on the same coal face. The number of stone drivages in which different methods of dust control are used, is also given.

Belgium↗

[26 years of research in pneumoconiosis in the field of British coal mines. Contribution of that research to the epidemiology of pulmonary disorders in miners].

Events leading to the start of the Pneumoconiosis Field Research in 1953 are reviewed. Research methods are outlined, progress is described, and the main results are summarised. Three medical surveys were conducted at approximately five-year intervals in 24 coal mines. A further two quinquennial surveys took place at 10 of them, thus completing 20 years' observations. Individual miners' exposures to dust have been measured throughout the periods of study and earlier exposures have been estimated. The dust exposure have been expressed as cumulative timeweighted mass concentrations of dust in the respirable range. Correlations have been demonstrated between this index of exposure and (a) risks of developing various degrees of simple pneumoconiosis, (b) the occurrence of chronic bronchitis symptoms, (c) level of breathing capacity, and (d) among miners with no pneumoconiosis, mortality attributed to respiratory diseases generally, chronic bronchitis and emphysema in particular, and to cancers of the digestive organs. Exposures to quartz amounting to less than about 10 per cent of mixed coal mine dust do not generally affect the probability of developing simple pneumoconiosis. But there is evidence that some miners may show unusual radiological changes over ten years when exposed to dust with a relatively high quartz content. Current work includes continuation of mortality studies and follow-up surveys of miners no longer working at the research collieries. The inter-disciplinary nature of the research team is emphasized and there are suggestions for further work on unresolved problems.

Coal Mining↗

[Epidemiological examinations for peptic ulcer in miners of pit-coal mines. I. Effect of socioeconomic factors].

In 3-pit coal mines, all workers were examined by means of an inquiry. Apart from personal data the inquiry included information on the category of work performed, length of employment, family state and socio-living conditions as well as diseases of digestive tract. The diagnosis of peptic ulcer and data on its course were based on medical documentation of Plant Outpatient Departments. Collected material comprised 9361 persons, i.e. 95% of the whole population examined. After having excluded women, employed only on surface, results were worked out concerning the population of 8302 men employed both underground and on surface. In this mining population one found 7.92% persons suffering from peptic ulcer; thus the occurrence of the disease resembled that of general population. The rate of duodenal and gastric ulcer was identical. The studies indicated that the percentage of peptic ulcer was increased proportionally to age and number of children and was greater in married than in bachelors. No greater percentage was found in widowers and divorcees, or in those eating in canteens, partaking cold meals during work or drinking alcohol. Instead in smokers a greater percentage of peptic ulcer was found. The rate of the occurrence of peptic ulcer is greater with higher salaries, additional paid, or social, work, and in case of daily travelling on a motorcycle or bicycle. Finally it was indicated that those suffering from peptic ulcer limited smoking and drinking habits and endeavoured to be fed properly.

Adult↗

[Dust control in Belgian coal mines. Status at the beginning of the year 1977].

The present communication gives a general view of the methods of dust control in the Belgian coal mines at the beginning of 1977. The statistical data received from the mines are presented in tabular form. The length and the output of coal faces treated by the classical methods of pre-spraying of the wall, wet cutting, water infusion and wet pneumatic picks, are given separately; in some cases two or more of these technics are used together on the same coal face. The number of hard headings in which different methods of dust suppression are used, is also given.

Belgium↗

[Long term effects of low concentrations of noxious gases on the respiratory system: results of an epidemiological study among iron mines workers in Lorraine (France). (author's transl)].

An epidemiological study of 1,178 iron-mine workers in the Lorraine basin was conducted in order to assess the long-term effects on the respiratory system of low concentrations of noxious gases produced by the machinery and explosives in use. The subjects were selected at random from 5,300 workers who were aged between 35 and 55, had been in the mines for at least five years and who were free from radiological abnormalities such as siderosis, tuberculosis, fractured ribs, etc. For each subject a standard questionnaire (E.C.S.C. bronchitis/emphysema questionnaire) was completed and a clinical examination was performed along with the following tests-vital capacity; forced expiratory volume in 1 second; residual volume; acetylcholine test; steady state CO test for calculation of total and partial transfer functions. A venous blood sample for the determination of blood CO was taken as the subject left his place of work.

Adult↗

Morbidity and immunological test in miners working in mines with low ionizing radiation level.

Total count of morbidity as well as prevalence of upper respiratory tract diseases (RTD) were followed in 210 miners working in shale mines with a low level of ionizing radiation regarding their smoking habits. After one and half year of observation were performed some tests of humoral immunity in the blood serum and saliva (immunoglobulins G, A, M and sIgA) as well as some tests of non-specific indices (alpha 2 macroglobulin -A 2M, transferrin -TRF, lysozyme -- LYS). The number of healthy non--smokers reached 41.3%, whereas the number of healthy smokers was only 26.5% (P less than 0.05). The greater was the number of diseases in single subjects, the greater was the difference between smokers and non-smokers (P less than 0.005). The difference between RTD morbidity of smokers and non-smokers was not significant in the subgroup of miners employed less than 10 years, but the length of employment it rose significantly (P less than 0.002) in disfavour of the smokers. The difference between smokers and non-smokers is emphasized by ageing. The mean levels of immunoglobulins (IgG, IgA, IgM) are significantly higher in healthy non-smokers in comparison with other miners; that is stressed also by distribution analysis. The distribution analysis. The distribution of A 2M values is also significantly different in the subgroup of healthy non-smokers compared with other miners. Highly significant differences were found between healthy non-smokers and other miners by discrimination analysis of coupled tests. The differences among the paired comperformed some tests of humoral immunity in the blood serum and saliva (immunoglobulins are apparently cooperative in the prevention of RTD. In contrast to that the level of A 2M are in reverse relationship to the levels of Ig; in the subgroup of healthy non-smokers low levels of A 2M are in connection with high levels of Ig of all three classes. The results are discussed from the point of view of the smoker's habits, the length of employment in mine's environment, the age of the miners and the supposed genetical factors.

Adult↗