Occurrence of pleural plaques in workers with exposure to mineral wool.
The objective of this study was to investigate whether occurrence of pleural plaques is associated with exposure to mineral wool. The occurrence of pleural plaques on routine chest radiographs of 933 persons employed in the mineral wool manufacturing industry and 865 referents was compared. Twelve men from the mineral wool industry had pleural plaques, as against three of the referents (P > 0.05). The occurrence of pleural plaques among men in the mineral wool industry was not associated with an increased exposure to mineral wool or with length of time between start of employment and time of chest radiograph. The results do not support the notion that inhalation of man-made mineral fibers causes pleural plaques. It must, however, be conceded--keeping in mind the limits imposed by the study size--that nor do they provide grounds for refutation of such a hypothesis.
Department of Occupational Medicine, Sahlgrenska Hospital, Göteborg, Sweden.
B
B
Järvholm
G
G
Hillerdal
A K
AK
Järliden
A
A
Hansson
B G
BG
Lilja
G
G
Tornling
P
P
Westerholm
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D017610:Calcium Compounds / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008171:Lung Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced*; D016273:Occupational Exposure; D009790:Occupations; D016017:Odds Ratio; D010995:Pleural Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced*; D012737:Sex Factors; D017640:Silicates / Q000009:adverse effects*; D013997:Time Factors
D017610:Calcium Compounds; D017640:Silicates; C031293:calcium silicate