Epidemiological study of pneumoconiosis in the Italian poly(vinyl chloride) industry.
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.
D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D004391:Dust; D006801:Humans; D007558:Italy; D008875:Middle Aged; D011009:Pneumoconiosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D011143:Polyvinyl Chloride / Q000009:adverse effects*; D011145:Polyvinyls / Q000009:adverse effects*; D011859:Radiography; D012907:Smoking; D014752:Vinyl Chloride / Q000009:adverse effects*; D014753:Vinyl Compounds / Q000009:adverse effects*
D004391:Dust; D011145:Polyvinyls; D014753:Vinyl Compounds; D011143:Polyvinyl Chloride; D014752:Vinyl Chloride