1. Respirable Dust and Silica: Respiratory Diseases Among Swedish Iron Foundry Workers.
- Author
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Lenander-Ramirez, Alexander, Bryngelsson, Ing-Liss, Vihlborg, Per, Westberg, Håkan, and Andersson, Lena
- Subjects
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RESPIRATORY disease risk factors , *RESPIRATORY diseases , *PATIENT aftercare , *DUST , *DISEASES , *MEDICAL personnel agencies , *OBSTRUCTIVE lung diseases , *DUST diseases , *ENVIRONMENTAL exposure , *SILICA , *LONGITUDINAL method - Abstract
The clinical significance of this paper is the statistically increased mortality and morbidity on respiratory diseases in outpatients of Swedish foundry workers, particularly COPD, at certain exposure levels. The results can be used as risk assessment for individuals to prevent the development of respiratory diseases and as basis for new occupational exposure limits. Objective: The mortality and morbidity pattern for respiratory diseases was determined in a cohort of 1752 Swedish foundry workers, particularly for respirable silica dust exposure. Methods: The morbidity follow-up in the Swedish National Non-primary Outpatient Register covered 2001 to 2017 (NPR; specialist not in care patients), the mortality from the National Causes of Death Register covered 2001 to 2017. Cumulative exposures to silica and dust were determined. Results: The morbidity in COPD showed significantly increased risk for all exposure groups, as did silicosis in the high exposure group, these cases corresponded to silica exposure levels below 0.05 mg/m3. The mortality of all causes and respiratory diseases was significantly increased by cumulative silica exposure in the high exposure group. Conclusions: Significantly increased morbidity for respiratory diseases and COPD was determined at silica exposure levels below the current Swedish OEL. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2022
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