Pulmonary Function in Granite Shed Workers of Vermont

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Abstract
Seven hundred ninety-two active granite shed workers from Barre, Vt, were studied to estimate the effect of granite dust on pulmonary function. From a complete occupational history and a comprehensive evaluation of the past and present environment, a total lifetime dust and quartz exposure for each worker was established. Granite dust and quartz caused a decrease in forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1.0), and total lung capacity (TLC), but not in residual volume (RV). This decrease was estimated by multiple regression analysis at 2 ml per dust-year. A dose-response for quartz and granite dust shows that the midpoint 50% is 32.5 dust-years for total dust and 35 quartzyears for free silica. From the present data, standards for exposure to both granite dust and quartz can be derived.