[Talc pneumoconiosis among soapstone handicraft workers in a rural area of Ouro Preto, Minas Gerais, Brazil].
Talc pneumoconiosis in Brazil has received little research attention to date. The disease was investigated in Mata dos Palmitos, a district of Ouro Preto, Minas Gerais State, among soapstone handicraft workers. The district has some 180 inhabitants, of whom 108 are engaged in handicrafts production, while 15 alternate handicrafts production with work in the soapstone quarries. A clinical and occupational investigation was conducted, along with a respiratory symptoms standardized questionnaire, chest x-ray (ILO standard), and spirometry. Clinical data showed a low prevalence of respiratory complaints. Dyspnea was the most frequent symptom. Chronic bronchitis was identified in 12 adult workers. Chest x-rays showed evidence of small lung opacities in 5 workers, and in 11 there was suspicion of the same opacities. One worker showed a plaque-shaped pleural thickening. Seven workers showed abnormal spirometry. The soapstone dust composition showed breathable asbestos fibers from the amphibole group (tremolite-actinolite). The results suggest talc asbestosis occurrence among soapstone handicraft workers.
Departamento de Nutrição Clínica e Social, Escola de Nutrição, Universidade Federal de Ouro Preto, Ouro Preto, MG, 35400-000, Brasil. ompab@uai.com.br
Olívia Maria de Paula Alves
OM
Bezerra
Elizabeth Costa
EC
Dias
Márcio Antônio Moreira
MA
Galvão
Ana Paula Scalia
AP
Carneiro
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001194:Asbestos / Q000009:adverse effects; D001195:Asbestosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D001938:Brazil / Q000453:epidemiology; D002648:Child; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004391:Dust / Q000032:analysis; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009017:Morbidity; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects*; D015995:Prevalence; D012424:Rural Population; D013147:Spirometry; D013627:Talc / Q000009:adverse effects*
D004391:Dust; D001194:Asbestos; D013627:Talc