title: Exposure to biogenic silica fibers and respiratory health in Hawaii sugarcane workers.
abstract: We conducted a cross-sectional environmental and medical survey of 355 male sugarcane workers in Hawaii to determine whether exposure to biogenic silica fibers (BSF) affected their respiratory health. Exposures to BSF ranged from nondetectable to more than 0.700 BSF/mL and varied by job and department. Respiratory symptoms, chest radiograph findings, and pulmonary function were not associated with BSF exposures. Cigarette smoking was associated with respiratory symptoms and pulmonary obstruction. Fifteen workers had pleural thickening or pleural plaques and 3 of these workers were exposed to BSF for more than 10 years. BSF exposure does not appear to influence the respiratory health of sugarcane workers; however, further study is warranted.
authors.affiliation: National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Cincinnati, Ohio.
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Sinks
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Hartle
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Boeniger
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Mannino
authors.forename: J E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Boyd
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Fernback
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hawkins
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Grimes
authors.forename: K L
authors.initials: KL
authors.lastname: Watkins
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Dill
mesh_terms: D000383:Agriculture; D001194:Asbestos; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D006254:Hawaii; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016273:Occupational Exposure; D012119:Respiration; D012822:Silicon Dioxide
chemical_list: D001194:Asbestos; D012822:Silicon Dioxide