RESPIRATORY EFFECTS OF EXPOSURE TO DUST IN TACONITE MINING AND PROCESSING

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
Taconite is a low-grade iron ore consisting of Fe, quartz and numerous silicates. Taconite from the eastern tip of the Mesabi Iron Range [Northeastern Minnesota, USA] contains the amphibole silicate cummingtonite-grunerite, which is a mineral relative of amosite asbestos. Data were collected from 249 men with 20 or more yr of exposure to taconite dust and 86 men without history of intimate exposure to taconite dust. Bronchitic symptoms and impairment of expiratory flow correlated significantly with history of cigarette smoking, but not with exposure to dust. Chest radiographs revealed 3 cases of possible silicosis. No case of definite interstitial fibrosis, ill-defined diaphragm, pleural calcification or mesothelioma was found. Cigarette smoking is significantly correlated with bronchitic symptoms and impairment of expiratory flow. Taconite workers are at risk of silicosis. If dust containing cummingtonite-grunerite has biologic activity comparable to that of dust from asbestos, it is not evident after 20 yr of low-level exposure.

This publication has 1 reference indexed in Scilit: