Zirconium compound-induced pulmonary fibrosis.
Despite suspicion that inhalation of zirconium should be capable of causing human pulmonary disease, documentation of zirconium pneumoconiosis in humans has been lacking. We studied a likely case of zirconium compound-induced pulmonary fibrosis. The diagnosis was based on the following: (1) a history of gradual increase in symptoms and slowly progressing pulmonary fibrosis by chest roentgenogram compatible with a pneumoconiosis; (2) an appropriate history of exposure and a latency period of about 15 years before the onset of dyspnea and of roentgenographic changes; (3) analysis of open lung biopsy material revealing end-stage fibrosis and honeycombing, a moderate number of birefringent particles, and extremely high levels of a variety of zirconium compounds; and (4) no other potential cause of fibrosis. We conclude that zirconium should be considered a likely cause of pneumoconiosis and that appropriate precautions should be taken in the workplace.
Bartter
T
T
Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Cooper Hospital, University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Camden.
Irwin
R S
RS
Abraham
J L
JL
Dascal
A
A
Nash
G
G
Himmelstein
J S
JS
Jederlinic
P J
PJ
D006801:Humans; D008168:Lung / Q000648:ultrastructure; D008297:Male; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D008875:Middle Aged; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced*; D011658:Pulmonary Fibrosis / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology; D012129:Respiratory Function Tests; D015040:Zirconium / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000032:analysis
D015040:Zirconium