Uranium mining in Germany: incidence of occupational diseases 1946-1999.
OBJECTIVE
In East Germany, uranium mining was performed on a large scale for approximately 45 years (1946-1990). In particular, the poor working conditions during the post-war years until 1955 led to a high level of occupational diseases. The present study gives an overview of the occurrence of occupational diseases during the mining period as well as after uranium mining was stopped in 1990.


METHODS
The number of occupational diseases which occurred during the mining period was calculated from the files of the former Wismut SDAG. Although exposure to uranium ceased after 1990, new cases of occupational diseases were recognized after that date. These were recorded by the German Federation Of Institutions For Statutory Accident Insurance And Prevention (HVBG).


CONCLUSIONS
Today, more than 35,000 cases of occupational diseases are known, and many more are expected. About two-thirds of them are lung diseases: 16,376 cases of silicosis/silicotuberculosis and 7,695 cases of bronchial carcinomas. The increase in the number of recognized occupational diseases is shown and discussed against the background of changes in criteria for recognition and in working conditions as well as the duration of the latency period.
Schröder
Christa
C
Hauptverband der gewerblichen Berufsgenossenschaften (HVBG), 53754 Sankt Augustin, Germany.
Friedrich
Klaus
K
Butz
Martin
M
Koppisch
Dorothea
D
Otten
Heinz
H
D001984:Bronchial Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D005858:Germany / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D019570:Inhalation Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008906:Mining; D009381:Neoplasms, Radiation-Induced / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D012830:Silicotuberculosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D014501:Uranium / Q000009:adverse effects*; D000078329:Workforce
D014501:Uranium