Respiratory health among quartz-exposed slate workers--a problem even today.
BACKGROUND
Quartz and dust are known to cause respiratory problems. Slate workers in Alta, Norway are exposed to these compounds even today, and the need for improvement of their work environment was evaluated.


METHODS
Respiratory health was examined using chest X-ray, lung function tests and a self-administered questionnaire in a cross-sectional study.


RESULTS
The prevalence of silicosis among the slate workers varied between 1.9 and 6.5%. The slate workers had significantly more respiratory symptoms than the controls when adjusted for smoking. Peak expiratory flow was significantly lower among slate workers than among controls.


CONCLUSIONS
The work environment of the slate workers may cause adverse effects in their airways. Improvements to their work environment are indicated.
D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005387:Finland / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D029424:Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive / Q000209:etiology*; D011791:Quartz / Q000009:adverse effects*; D012829:Silicosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*
D011791:Quartz