Original scientific paper
Silicosis in the silica sand mine near Pula
V. Marochini
; Higijenski zavod, Rijeka, i Vojna bolnica i Antituberkulozni dispanzer, Pula
M. Kuiš
; Higijenski zavod, Rijeka, i Vojna bolnica i Antituberkulozni dispanzer, Pula
Abstract
An examination of miners in the silica sand quarry Šaulaga in Istra has been carried out. The quarry layers contained 98°/o of free silica. Out of 144 miners and workers exposed to silica dust 23 cases of silicosis were found; 15 cases presented uncertain findings. In evaluating the roentenograms the American grading according to Pendergrass-Robert (1948) was used. The cases of reticulation without sharply designed micronodular shadows were classified as uncertain findings. With regard to the length of employment the examined workers could be classified as young workers. There were only 74 working at the quarry more than 3 years. 31 °/o of these workers were silicotics, and 19°/o showed primary silicotic changes. The heaviest exposure was suffered by workers performing pneumatic drilling operations. The drilling operation gene-rates a highly dispersed silica dust with average particle size of about 1 micron. The concentration of dust was 30-40 times larger than the MAC. Out of 30 drillers 20 suffered from silicosis. 5 showed uncertain findings, and only 5 had no silicotic changes. No personal or technical protective devices have been used in the quarry. The authors discuss the way in which prevention of silicosis should be carried out. Suggestions for future work are given. The necessity of a wide investigation into the problem of silicosis in Yugoslavia is emphasized.
Keywords
Hrčak ID:
186380
URI
Publication date:
14.3.1955.
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