Pneumoconiosis after sericite inhalation

• Published in: Occupational and environmental medicine (London, England) England), 2005-03, Vol.62 (3), p.e2-e2
• Main Authors: Algranti, E, Handar, A M, Dumortier, P, Mendonça, E M C, Rodrigues, G L, Santos, A M A, Mauad, T, Dolhnikoff, M, De Vuyst, P, Saldiva, P H N, Bussacos, M A
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adult; Aluminum Silicates - analysis; Aluminum Silicates - toxicity; Atoms & subatomic particles; Biopsy; Coal; Cytotoxicity; Dust; Dust - analysis; Electronic Paper; Environmental Monitoring - methods; Forced Expiratory Volume; Hospitals; Humans; Inhalation; Inhalation Exposure - analysis; Kaolinite; Lesions; Lungs; Male; Membrane filters; Middle Aged; Mineralogy; Minerals; Mines; Mining; mixed dust pneumoconiosis; Occupational diseases; Occupational exposure; Occupational Exposure - analysis; Particle Size; Pneumoconiosis; Pneumoconiosis - diagnostic imaging; Pneumoconiosis - etiology; Pneumoconiosis - physiopathology; Pulmonary Fibrosis - etiology; Pulmonary Fibrosis - pathology; Radiography; sericite; sericite pneumoconiosis; Silica; silicate pneumoconiosis; Silicon Dioxide - analysis; Silicosis; Studies; Vital Capacity; X-ray diffraction; X-rays
• ISSN: 1351-0711; 1470-7926
• DOI: 10.1136/oem.2003.012609

Background: Between 1997 and 1999 three sericite plant workers in Paraná, Brazil, were diagnosed with pneumoconiosis. Aims: To investigate and describe the radiological, clinical, and pathological changes in miners and millers exposed to sericite dust with mineralogical characteristics of inhaled dust. Methods: The working premises were visited to examine the sericite processing and to classify the jobs according to make qualitative evaluation. Respirable dust was collected and the amount of crystalline silica and particle size distribution were measured. Forty four workers were examined by a standard questionnaire for respiratory symptoms, spirometry, and chest x ray. Material from an open lung biopsy was reviewed for histopathological and mineralogical analysis, together with sericite samples from the work site to compare the mineral characteristics in lung lesions and work area. Results: Respirable dust contained 4.5–10.0% crystalline silica. Particle size distribution showed a heavy burden of very fine particles (23–55%) with a mean diameter of