Aseptic necrosis in compressed air tunnel workers using current OSHA decompression schedules.
Aseptic necrosis (dysbaric osteonecrosis) was discovered in two compressed air tunnel workers who had used the present Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA) decompression tables for compressed air tunneling at pressures greater than 36 pounds per square inch gauge (psig). A roentgenographic study was made of 21 men who had worked at pressures up to 43 psig using the OSHA schedules. Bone scanning was also included. Seven of the men (33%) were found to have aseptic necrosis involving the shoulders, hips or distal femoral shafts and proximal tibia. It became evident that the present OSHA schedules caused not only an unacceptable incidence of decompression sickness but also aseptic necrosis at pressures over 36 psig. New interim tables that are more conservative and that use either air or oxygen as a breathing gas during decompression are undergoing laboratory and worksite evaluation.
D000328:Adult; D003664:Decompression / Q000009:adverse effects*; D003665:Decompression Sickness / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology*; D009786:Occupational Health Services / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D010020:Osteonecrosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology*; D011859:Radiography; D014481:United States; D014489:United States Occupational Safety and Health Administration