title: Silicosis in silica flour workers.
abstract: 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.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007087:Illinois; D008297:Male; D008452:Maximum Allowable Concentration; D008875:Middle Aged; D008906:Mining; D011658:Pulmonary Fibrosis / Q000209:etiology; D012822:Silicon Dioxide; D012829:Silicosis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D012907:Smoking; D013147:Spirometry
chemical_list: D012822:Silicon Dioxide