Mortality from nonmalignant respiratory diseases among male workers in Norwegian ferroalloy plants.

Abstract

OBJECTIVES:

This study examined mortality from nonmalignant respiratory diseases among ferroalloy workers.

METHODS:

The cohort comprised 14730 men employed for the first time in 1933-1990 and for at least 6 months in 1 of 12 plants. The duration of work in specific departments and exposure to amorphous silica in the ferrosilicon/silicon-metal (FeSi/Si-met) plants, estimated from a job-exposure matrix, were the main exposure variables. Deaths were observed during 1962-1990. The mortality was analyzed with the use of standardized mortality ratios (SMR) and internal comparisons of rates.

RESULTS:

Overall mortality from nonmalignant respiratory diseases was not increased, but mortality from bronchitis, emphysema, and asthma combined was significantly increased among the men with at least 3 years of FeSi/Si-met furnace work (SMR 1.82, 16 deaths). A Poisson regression analysis of the mortality from these causes among 6359 employees in the FeSi/Si-met plants showed a significant increase of 0.06 per unit of amorphous silica exposure observed 10-20 years after the exposure. Six men died of pneumonia while still employed in a ferromanganese/silicomanganese (FeMn/SiMn) plant. No corresponding deaths occurred among employees in FeSi/Si-met plants. Only 2 deaths from pneumoconiosis were observed in the total cohort.

CONCLUSIONS:

Among employees in FeSi/Si-met plants increased mortality from bronchitis, emphysema, and asthma may be associated with previous exposure to amorphous silica. Deaths from pneumonia among FeMn/SiMn workers may be associated with manganese exposure.

• Authors: A Hobbesland, H Kjuus, D S Thelle
• Journal: Scandinavian journal of work, environment & health (Scand J Work Environ Health) Vol. 23 Issue 5 Pg. 342-50 (Oct 1997) ISSN: 0355-3140 [Print] Finland
• PMID: 9403464 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Alloys
• Iron Compounds
• Silicon Compounds
• ferro-manganese alloy
• Manganese
• ferrosilicon
• Iron

Topics

• Adult
• Aged
• Aged, 80 and over
• Alloys (adverse effects)
• Bronchitis (etiology, mortality)
• Cause of Death
• Cohort Studies
• Follow-Up Studies
• Humans
• Iron (adverse effects)
• Iron Compounds (adverse effects)
• Lung Diseases (etiology, mortality)
• Manganese (adverse effects)
• Middle Aged
• Norway (epidemiology)
• Occupational Diseases (etiology, mortality)
• Occupational Exposure (adverse effects)
• Respiratory Tract Diseases (etiology, mortality)
• Risk Factors
• Silicon Compounds (adverse effects)
• Silicosis (etiology, mortality)