Open AccessEpidemiological study of pneumoconiosis in the Italian poly(vinyl chloride) industry.
Author(s) -
G Mastrangelo,
B Saia,
G Marcer,
G Piazza
Publication year - 1981
Publication title -
environmental health perspectives
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.257
H-Index - 282
eISSN - 1552-9924
pISSN - 0091-6765
DOI - 10.1289/ehp.8141153
Subject(s) - pneumoconiosis , vinyl chloride , medicine , population , toxicology , epidemiology , polyvinyl chloride , environmental health , chemistry , pathology , polymer , organic chemistry , biology , copolymer
Among 1216 workers employed in a poly(vinyl chloride) production factory, 20 cases of pneumoconiosis were found. None of these workers had had previous exposure to organic or inorganic dusts; 731 had been exposed to PVC dust (employed in drying, sacking and blending of polymer) and 485 had been exposed to monomer alone. Chest x-ray films were read by two independent physicians utilizing the ILO/UC Pneumoconiosis Classification, 1971. X-ray abnormalities were characterized by limited profusion, irregular type and low gravidity; in a small percentage of cases these were associated with slight restrictive respiratory function impairments. All 20 workers with PVC-induced pneumoconiosis had been exposed to high PVC dust pollution for at least five years. Mild nonspecific alterations (profusion of 0/1 class) were found both in the group exposed to PVC dust and in the group exposed to VCM alone. Such changes (observed in 388 cases, 31.9% of the whole population), are related mainly to age and smoking habits, and the role of exposure is minor.