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At least 127 records · Page 7Linked to original sources
PubMed1985

[Evaluation of exposure of workers to asbestos dust in asbestos-processing plants].

Working environments have been tested in plants producing asbestos products, asbestos-cement products, textile asbestos products, asbestos-caoutchouc plates, asbestos boards and asbestos frictional materials for automotive industry, Measurements of total dust concentrations and concentrations of asbestos fibres 5 micron long supported workers' exposure investigations. Basing on literature data on the working environment at the Mining Metallurgical Plant in Szklary, the health risk for workers producing nickel from ores containing asbestos mixtures has been analysed. The asbestos-exposure in asbestos-processing plants has been found to be still considerable despite modernization of the plants. Particularly dangerous to health have been regarded the conditions at asbestos spinning-mills and the Mining-Metallurgical Plant at Szklary, where even average asbestos concentrations considerably exceed the threshold limit values.

Air Pollutants, Occupational↗
PubMed1981

[Diagnostic significance of immunoglobulins in infectious allergic bronchial asthma].

In 100 patients with infectious allergic bronchial asthma the levels of IgM. IgG and IgA were determined by Mancini's method and the levels of IgE, tissue and microbial antibodies by the Prausnitz - Küstner test before and after combined treatment carried out under conditions of the microclimate of the salt mines in the village of Solotvino. The data on the content of immunoglobulins in the blood serum allowed the authors to establish 3 types of immediate hypersensitivity. THe decreased content of IgM in the blood serum indirectly revealed the role of immune complexes in the pathogenesis of infectious allergic bronchial asthma. The high content of IgE suggested that atopy could take some part in the infectious process.

Antigen-Antibody Complex↗
PubMed1991

[Skin lesions in miners in contact with trinitrotoluene].

A study is presented of morbidity with temporary loss of working capacity in mine workers of ore-mining enterprises contacting with trinitrotoluol. Three-year data were analyzed according to an international statistical classification (average 100 workers annually). The frequency of lesions of the skin and subcutaneous fat was higher in workers contacting with trinitrotoluol. Prophylactic measures are recommended.

Absenteeism↗
PubMed1982

Community and job satisfactions: an argument for reciprocal influence based on the principle of stimulus generalization.

The principle of stimulus generalization provided the underlying argument for a test of hypotheses regarding the association of community and job satisfactions and a critique of related theory and research. Two-stage least squares (2SLS) analysis made possible the examination of reciprocal causation, a notion inherent in the theoretical argument. Data were obtained from 276 employees of a Western U.S. coal mine as part of a work attitudes survey. The 2SLS analysis indicated a significant impact of community satisfaction on job satisfaction and an effect of borderline significance of job on community satisfaction. Theory-based correlational comparisons were made on groups of employees residing in four distinct communities, high and low tenure groups, males and females, and different levels in the mine's hierarchy. The pattern of correlations was generally consistent with predictions, but significance tests for differences yielded equivocal support. When considered in the context of previous studies, the data upheld a reciprocal causal model and the explanatory principle of stimulus generalization for understanding the relation of community and job satisfactions. Sample characteristics necessitate cautious interpretation and the model per se might best be viewed as a heuristic framework for more definitive research.

Adult↗
PubMed1991

Mortality of 11,500 nickel workers--extended follow up and relationship to environmental conditions.

An extended follow-up from 1977-84 was achieved in a cohort of 11,567 nickel workers engaged in mining, milling and smelting originally studied from 1950-76. Exposure data were incorporated into the analysis. One nasal cancer occurred. The lung cancer Standardized Mortality Ratio beyond 15 years from first exposure was significantly high overall (128) and in miners (153). However, detailed analyses by era of first mining and duration of mining, as well as cumulative exposure to different nickel species, did not appear consistent with an occupational etiology since significant trends were not observed. At the levels of exposure incurred, large increases in lung and nasal cancer, observed in nickel refineries elsewhere, did not occur.

Environmental Monitoring↗
PubMed1991

Chrysotile asbestos and health in Zimbabwe: I. Analysis of miners and millers compensated for asbestos-related diseases since independence (1980).

Data on the health effects caused by locally mined chrysotile asbestos in Zimbabwe have been very limited. The prevailing local view has been that risk is minimal. In this report we critically reassess the cases of 51 individuals with asbestos exposure who have been compensated by the Central Pneumoconiosis Bureau since independence in 1980. Results demonstrate that the major health risks of exposure reported elsewhere--morbid asbestosis, nonmalignant pleural disease, malignant mesothelioma, and lung cancer--all occur in Zimbabwe, at least among workers in the asbestos mines and mills. It is concluded that further investigation and control measures in the industry are warranted.

Asbestos↗
PubMed1981

Silicosis in silica flour workers.

In July 1979, the health of 86 current and ex-workers at 2 silica mining and milling operations in southern Illinois was examined using a respiratory questionnaire, spirometry, and chest radiographs. None of 25 current workers with less than 1 yr of exposure to silica dust had radiographic evidence of silicosis. For 61 current workers and ex-workers with 1 or more yr of exposure, chest radiographs showed 16 (26%) with simple silicosis and 7 (11%) with progressive massive fibrosis. Of these 23, 8 with simple silicosis and 3 with progressive massive fibrosis began work after the first Mine Safety and Health Administration inspection in 1973. These data and a review of federal dust inspection results between 1973 and 1979 showed that these cases of silicosis could have been prevented by effecting compliance with the existing dust standard.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Respiratory disorders and lung function impairment in pyrite miners.

A research study was carried out at a pyrite mine in Niccioleta, southern Tuscany, during the period 1980-1983 to investigate the possible effects of gaseous and particulate pollutants on the respiratory function of mine workers. The study was undertaken to fill the gap in recent scientific information in this field and also collect data which could be used for future planning of epidemiological and environmental controls at the mine. For the most exposed underground workers a dust exposure of 1.04 mg/m3 of inhalable dust and 0.60 mg/m3 of respirable dust was found. The average quartz content was less than 1.5% in both types of dust. Median exposures of the most exposed risk group were 6.0 ppm for carbon monoxide (CO), 0.22 ppm for nitrogen dioxide (NO2), 0.09 ppm for sulfur dioxide (SO2). The health effects of gaseous and particulate pollutants were studied by comparing the respiratory symptoms and lung function data of the miners with those of a reference group. A significantly increased prevalence of simple chronic bronchitis was found among underground miners when compared to the reference group. This condition was not associated with functional impairment of obstructive nature. Chest x-rays revealed 14 cases of p type pneumoconiosis.

Adult↗
PubMed1984

Estimation of the exertion requirements of coal mining work.

The work requirements of coal mining work were estimated by studying a group of 12 underground coal miners. A two level (rest, 300 kg X m/min) test was performed to estimate the linear relationship between each subject's heart rate and oxygen consumption. Then, heart rates were recorded during coal mining work with a Holter type recorder. From these data, the distributions of oxygen consumptions during work were estimated, allowing characterization of the range of exertion throughout the work day. The average median estimated oxygen consumption was 3.3 METS, the average 70th percentile was 4.3 METS, and the average 90th percentile was 6.3 METS. These results should be considered when assessing an individual's occupational fitness.

Adult↗
PubMed1992

Relative bioavailability of lead from mining waste soil in rats.

The purposes of this study were to determine the extent of absorption of lead (Pb) in mining waste soil from Butte, Montana, and to investigate the effect of mining waste soil dose (g soil/day) on tissue lead concentrations. Young, 7- to 8-week-old male and female Sprague-Dawley rats (5/sex/group) were given mining waste soil that contained 810 or 3908 ppm lead mixed in a purified diet (AIN-76) at four different dose levels (0.2, 0.5, 2, and 5% dietary soil) for 30 consecutive days. Standard groups included untreated controls and dosed feed soluble lead acetate groups (1, 10, 25, 100, and 250 micrograms Pb/g feed). The test soil dose levels bracketed a pica child's soil exposure level and the lead acetate concentrations bracketed the test soil dose levels of lead. Liver, blood, and femur were analyzed for total lead concentration using graphite furnace atomic absorption spectroscopy. Clinical signs, body weight, food consumption, and liver weights for test soil and standard groups were similar to control. Tissue lead concentrations from test soil animals were significantly lower than the tissue concentrations for the lead acetate group. Relative percentage bioavailability values, based on lead acetate as the standard, were independent of the two different test soils, dose levels, and sex and were only slightly dependent on the tissue (blood > bone, liver). Mean relative percentage bioavailability values of lead in the Butte mining waste soil were 20% based on the blood data, 9% based on the bone data, and 8% based on the liver data. The results of this study will provide the information needed to determine the significance of lead exposure from Butte soils in assessing human health risks as part of the Superfund Remedial Investigation/Feasibility Study process.

Animals↗
PubMed1991

Regulatory implications of airborne respirable free silica variability in underground coal mines.

The respirable dust standard for respirable free crystalline silica in underground coal mines is expressed as milligrams per cubic meter (mg/m3) of respirable dust and is determined by the silica content of the dust. The Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) regulates silica exposure by determining and enforcing compliance with the respirable dust standard for each active mine section. The MSHA strategy for regulation is examined in the context of respirable free crystalline silica and dust data. Deficiencies of the strategy include the same enforcement efforts regardless of compliance history, inappropriate treatment of data, and emphasis on short-term variability of silica content. These deficiencies result in inadequate enforcement in chronically dusty mines, "game playing" with optional samples, and an overall approach that does not focus on the long-term impact of silica exposure on lung health. Alternative approaches include enforcement efforts proportional to compliance history, use of a moving average silica content, and more statistically sound approaches to data interpretation.

Air Pollutants, Occupational↗
PubMed1985

Government regulation of occupational safety: underground coal mine accidents 1973-75.

The purpose of this paper is to determine the influence of federal mine safety inspections on underground coal mine accidents. An economic incentives model is developed to relate federal enforcement activities to accident rates. The determinants of accident rates are analyzed for 535 coal mines during the period 1973-75. Estimates based on these data when applied to the model indicate that increasing inspections by 25 per cent would have produced a 13 per cent decline in fatal accidents and an 18 per cent decline in disabling accidents.

Accident Prevention↗
PubMed1977

A retrospective epidemiological study of mortality at a large western copper smelter.

In comparing the smelter with the mine, concentrator, and State of Utah, it was found that they were very similar in the percentage of deaths due to all causes except lung cancer; 7.0% of all deaths at the smelter were due to lung cancer compared to 2.2% for the mine, 2.2% for the concentrator, and 2.7% for the state. The excess at the smelter was statistically significant. Approximate age-adjusted death rates were obtained for various causes of death. The rates for the smelter are higher than for the mine and the state for lung cancer and for all causes combined. The average age at death for smelter workers is nearly the same as for mine employees, even for those who died of lung cancer. Smoking data was examined and there was no indication of a smoking synergism. Cumulative exposure indices for SO2, H2SO4 mist, As, Pb, and Cu were computed for each deceased smelter worker based n the length of time he worked in each of 12 major areas. Those who died of lung cancer had the highest average exposure index for all five constituents. Stack emission data showed much higher levels of As and SO2 prior to 1959.

Adult↗
PubMed1992

Epidemiological data on US coal miners' pneumoconiosis, 1960 to 1988.

OBJECTIVES: Statistics on prevalence of pneumoconiosis among working underground coal miners based on epidemiologic data collected between 1960 and 1988 are presented. The main intent was to examine the time-related trend in prevalence, particularly after 1969, when substantially lower dust levels were mandated by federal act. METHODS: Data from studies undertaken between 1960 and 1968 were collected and compared. Information for the period 1969 to 1988 was extracted from a large ongoing national epidemiologic study. Tenure-specific prevalence rates and summary statistics derived from the latter data for four consecutive time intervals within the 19-year period were calculated and compared. RESULTS: The results indicate a reduction in pneumoconiosis over time. The trend is similar to that seen in a large radiologic surveillance program of underground miners operated concurrently. CONCLUSIONS: Although such factors as x-ray reader variation, changes in x-ray standards, and worker self-selection for examination may have influenced the findings to some extent, adjusted summary rates reveal a reduction in prevalence concurrent with reductions in coal mine dust levels mandated by federal act in 1969.

Adult↗
PubMed1992

Dietary determinants of lung-cancer risk: results from a case-control study in Yunnan Province, China.

The relation between diet and lung cancer was studied among male residents of a mining community in Yunnan Province. After obtaining food frequency data from subjects or proxies, we compared diets of 428 cases, aged 35-74 years, and 1,011 age-matched controls. Cases tended to consume slightly more rice, but less protein-rich foods (i.e., bean curd, meat, eggs) and vegetables than did controls. The relative risks of lung cancer across increasing quartiles of meat (i.e., pork) consumption, for example, were 1.00, 0.67, 0.72 and 0.46 (p for trend less than 0.01). The relative risks of lung cancer across increasing quartiles of consumption of dark-green, leafy vegetables were 1.00, 0.62, 0.52 and 0.41 (p for trend less than 0.01). Although specific dietary constituent(s) responsible for the protective effect of vegetable consumption could not be identified, carotenoids other than beta-carotene, or compounds in cruciferous or Allium vegetables, are possibilities.

Animals↗
PubMed1986

The assessment of health policy changes using the time-reversed crossover design.

The time-reversed crossover design is a quasi-experimental design which can be applied to evaluate the impact of a change in health policy on a large population. This design makes use of separate sampling and analysis strategies to improve the validity of conclusions drawn from such an evaluation. The properties of the time-reversed crossover design are presented including the use of stratification on outcome in the sampling stage, which is intended to improve external validity. It is demonstrated that, although this feature of the design introduces internal validity threats due to regression toward the mean in extreme-outcome strata, these effects can be measured and eliminated from the test of significance of treatment effects. Methods for within- and across-stratum estimation and hypothesis-testing are presented which are similar to those which have been developed for the traditional two-period crossover design widely used in clinical trials. The procedures are illustrated using data derived from a study conducted by the United Mine Workers of America Health and Retirement Funds to measure the impact of cost-sharing on health care utilization among members of its health plan.

Costs and Cost Analysis↗