Epidemiologic studies of scottish oil shale workers: I. Prevalence of skin disease and pneumoconiosis

Abstract

In an epidemiologic study of 6,359 oil shale workers, 1,664 (46.7%) of 3,566 survivors were investigated. No excess of skin disease (as reported in response to a questionnaire) was found in men exposed to oil or dust, whether compared to men who were not exposed to oil or dust or to coalminers. A low prevalence of simple pneumoconiosis was found in workers exposed to dust, while progressive massive fibrosis occurred in approximately 1% of miners and retort workers. Comparisons of responders with nonresponders revealed no serious bias in terms of age or work experience, though nonresponders were likely to have been less healthy in general.

Science With Purpose: 50 Years of the Institute of Occupational Medicine

“…The experience and reputation in epidemiology gained by IOM led to contracts from many different industries including steel in relation to cancer risks, brickworks, and quarries and opencast coal in relation to lung risks. Major international projects included research into risks of shale mining for oil production in the USA ( 9 ), assessment of occupational exposures in the mineral wool industries across Europe ( 10 ), and studies of risks related to a volcanic eruption in Montserrat ( 11 ). In the UK, IOM also carried out unique studies of lung problems in wool workers ( 12 ), agricultural use of pesticides ( 13 ), dust exposure in the London Underground ( 14 ), and exposures in relation to PVC production ( 15 ).…”

Historical perspective fifty years of particles: a personal retrospect

“…This productive period from 1977 to 1990 also saw the IOM study a number of other particle exposures in a similar manner, all leading to the promulgation of UK and, in one case USA, Dust Standards. These were the wool industry, polyvinyl chloride production and the, by then defunct in UK, oil shale industry [ 12 - 14 ]. In all three cases relationships between exposure to the relevant dust and lung disease were demonstrated for the first time, something that makes me wonder how many other dusty industries are associated with damage to the lungs that has not yet been demonstrated.…”