NIOSH
HAZARD REVIEW
Health
Effects of Occupational Exposure
to
Respirable Crystalline Silica
|
Table
17. Loss of lung function (FEV1)* associated
with cumulative exposure to respirable granite dust
|
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|
Reference
and country
|
Study
design, cohort, and followup
|
Subgroup
|
Loss
of FEV1
|
Adjusted
for smoking
|
Comments
|
|
|
Observed
(estimated ml/yr) |
Predicted
(ml per mg/m3 year) |
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| Eisen
et al. [1995], United States |
Longitudinal study of 618 white male granite workers hired after 1940, aged 25–65; employed 14.7 yr (mean), and followed 1970–1974 for annual pulmonary function testing [Eisen et al. 1983]. Quartz content of dust was 11% [Hosey et al. 1957]. | Nonsmokers |
34–72
|
—
|
Yes
|
Significant dose-response (P<0.05) was observed in the "dropout" group but not in the "survivor" group or the total cohort [Eisen et al. 1983]. After 1940, granite dust concentrations in Vermont granite sheds were <10 million particles per cubic foot (mppcf), or a respirable silica concentration of about 0.075 mg/m3 [Davis et al. 1983]. |
| Smokers |
53–69
|
—
|
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| Nonsilicotic nonsmokers |
—
|
4†
|
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| Theriault et al. [1974b], United States |
Cross-sectional study of 792 male, current granite shed workers aged 25–65. Quartz content of dust was 9% [Theriault 1974a] | Granite dust exposure |
1.6‡,§
|
3§
|
Yes
|
Predicted loss based on results of linear regression models. Predicted loss based on results of multiple regression analysis. Exposure-response relationship found between cumulative dust exposure and cumulative quartz exposure and loss of FEV1. |
| Quartz dust exposure |
1.5**
|
2.9§
|
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| *Forced
expiratory volume in 1 second. †In dropout group (i.e., subjects lost to followup). No predicted loss in survivor group. ‡Per dust-year (i.e., granite shed dust exposure of 0.52 mg/m3 for 40 hr/week for 1 yr). §Included silicotics. **Per quartz-year (i.e., quartz dust exposure of 0.05 mg/m3 for 40 hr/week for 1 yr). |
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