[The effects of dust inhalation in slate industry workers].
BACKGROUND
Slate industries involve the risk of causing silicosis; these industries are now on the increase, which implies an increasing number of workers too. The effects of this type of mining on respiratory health are not yet known.


METHODS
A cross section study of active workers. Radiological and functional alterations, and their relation to risk factors, were assessed.


RESULTS
A prevalence of 2.1% simple pneumoconiosis was found. The value of the FEV1 probed to be significantly related to smoking and to existence of nodulation of a 1/0 or higher profusion; these risk factors, when multiple regression is applied, work independently.


CONCLUSIONS
Slate industry involves a risk of pneumoconiosis and other respiratory alterations.
Rego
G
G
Servicio de Neumología Ocupacional. Instituto Nacional de Silicosis. Hospital Central de Asturias. previns@hca.es
Martínez
C
C
Quero
A
A
Blanco
T P
TP
Borquea
J M
JM
D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004391:Dust / Q000009:adverse effects; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009790:Occupations; D011009:Pneumoconiosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012307:Risk Factors; D012829:Silicosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D012907:Smoking / Q000009:adverse effects; D013030:Spain / Q000453:epidemiology; D013997:Time Factors
D004391:Dust