[Effects of rush-mat dust on the health of exposed workers].
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the effect of exposure to rush-mat dust on the health of workers.


METHODS
A cross sectional study of 661 workers (349 men, 312 women) from 35 rush-mat plants was carried out by using occupational health investigation, questionnare and physical examination.


RESULTS
The geometric mean total dust concentration in the workshop was up to 20.00 mg/m3, and the geometric mean respirable dust concentration reached 8.22 mg/m3. The mean free SiO2 concentration of accumulated dust was 25.6%. The prevalence of radiographic small opacities profusion category > or = 1/0, according to the China Classification for pneumoconiosis (GB 5906-2000), and compared with the ILO 1980 system, was 2.57%. Even more, one man had category 2 pneumoconiosis with progressive massive fibrosis. However, the incidence of pneumoconiosis (1/0 at least) was correlated with work duration and dust concentration(r = 1.156, P < 0.001; r = 0.106, P = 0.006, respectively). Some positive correlations were found between the incidence of cough or expectoration and occupational exposure (r = 0.085, P = 0.028; r = 0.094, P = 0.016, respectively).


CONCLUSIONS
To our knowledge, this is the first report of rush pneumoconiosis in China. The results have offered the possibility of a dose-response relationship between rush-mat dust and pneumoconiosis. More investigation in this area is need.
Xiao
Guobing
G
Institute of Occupational Medicine, Ningbo Municipal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Ningbo 315010, China.
Wang
Renyuan
R
Xu
Lairong
L
Ma
Zaohua
Z
Zhang
Xing
X
Zhou
Chenglai
C
Kishimoto
Takumi
T
Morinaga
Kenji
K
Kohyama
Norihiko
N
D000538:Aluminum Silicates; D002617:Chemical Industry; D000077215:Clay; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004391:Dust; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects*; D011009:Pneumoconiosis / Q000209:etiology*
D000538:Aluminum Silicates; D004391:Dust; D000077215:Clay