Hard-metal lung disease. A report of 4 cases.
The properties, manufacture and uses of hard metal are briefly described, and its harmful effects on the respiratory tract are enumerated, discussed and illustrated in 4 subjects who had been drill sharpeners on goldmines. It cannot be unequivocally claimed that these are cases of interstitial fibrosis due to the inhalation of hard-metal dust, as both radiography and histology in this disease are nonspecific. There appears however to be good reason to encourage further research on drill sharpeners on goldmines and tool-room workers in general.
D000368:Aged; D004391:Dust / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011009:Pneumoconiosis / Q000209:etiology*; D014025:Titanium / Q000009:adverse effects*; D014414:Tungsten / Q000009:adverse effects*
D004391:Dust; D014025:Titanium; D014414:Tungsten