Mica dust as a cause of severe pneumoconiosis

Zinman, C.; Richards, Guy A.; Murray, Jill; Phillips, James I.; Rees, D.; Glyn-Thomas, Raymond

doi:10.1002/ajim.10032

Cited by 20 publications

(10 citation statements)

References 8 publications

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“…Quartz is known to cause silicosis (another pneumoconiosis), although only one worker in this cohort died from silicosis. Vermiculite belongs to the mica family; mica has previously been linked with pneumoconiosis (Skulberg et al 1985; Venter et al 2004; Zinman et al 2002). …”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Vermiculite, Respiratory Disease, and Asbestos Exposure in Libby, Montana: Update of a Cohort Mortality Study

Sullivan

2007

Environ Health Perspect

150

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BackgroundVermiculite from the mine near Libby, Montana, is contaminated with tremolite asbestos and other amphibole fibers (winchite and richterite). Asbestos-contaminated Libby vermiculite was used in loose-fill attic insulation that remains in millions of homes in the United States, Canada, and other countries.ObjectiveThis report describes asbestos-related occupational respiratory disease mortality among workers who mined, milled, and processed the Libby vermiculite.MethodsThis historical cohort mortality study uses life table analysis methods to compare the age-adjusted mortality experience through 2001 of 1,672 Libby workers to that of white men in the U.S. population.ResultsLibby workers were significantly more likely to die from asbestosis [standardized mortality ratio (SMR) = 165.8; 95% confidence interval (CI), 103.9–251.1], lung cancer (SMR = 1.7; 95% CI, 1.4–2.1), cancer of the pleura (SMR = 23.3; 95% CI, 6.3–59.5), and mesothelioma. Mortality from asbestosis and lung cancer increased with increasing duration and cumulative exposure to airborne tremolite asbestos and other amphibole fibers.ConclusionsThe observed dose-related increases in asbestosis and lung cancer mortality highlight the need for better understanding and control of exposures that may occur when homeowners or construction workers (including plumbers, cable installers, electricians, telephone repair personnel, and insulators) disturb loose-fill attic insulation made with asbestos-contaminated vermiculite from Libby, Montana.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Vermiculite, Respiratory Disease, and Asbestos Exposure in Libby, Montana: Update of a Cohort Mortality Study

Sullivan

2007

Environ Health Perspect

150

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“…5 6 22 23 From these reports it is clear that pure mica can cause pneumoconiosis, even with short duration of exposures. 6 The pneumoconiosis cases here described showed a mean of 17 years of exposure and 23 years of latency time. One of the cases had an exposure time as low as 1.4 years.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 80%

“…2 However, several case reports presented with careful pathological and mineralogical analysis leave little doubt that mica with low quartz content can be associated with the development of disabling forms of pneumoconiosis. [4][5][6] Interestingly, sericite was thought to be one of the main causes of lung disease in underground coal workers, and the object of a historical scientific dispute that led to the broadening of acceptance criteria for compensation of disabled coal miners. 7 Previous cytotoxic studies, with dust collected in British collieries, showed an enhanced cytotoxic effect for the noncoal mineral content of the samples, mainly kaolin and mica.…”

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confidence: 99%

Pneumoconiosis after sericite inhalation

Algranti

Handar²,

Dumortier³

et al. 2005

Occup Environ Med

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Background: Between 1997 and 1999 three sericite plant workers in Paraná, Brazil, were diagnosed with pneumoconiosis. Aims: To investigate and describe the radiological, clinical, and pathological changes in miners and millers exposed to sericite dust with mineralogical characteristics of inhaled dust. Methods: The working premises were visited to examine the sericite processing and to classify the jobs according to make qualitative evaluation. Respirable dust was collected and the amount of crystalline silica and particle size distribution were measured. Forty four workers were examined by a standard questionnaire for respiratory symptoms, spirometry, and chest x ray. Material from an open lung biopsy was reviewed for histopathological and mineralogical analysis, together with sericite samples from the work site to compare the mineral characteristics in lung lesions and work area. Results: Respirable dust contained 4.5-10.0% crystalline silica. Particle size distribution showed a heavy burden of very fine particles (23-55%) with a mean diameter of ,0.5 mm. Mean age of sericite miners was 41.0 (11.9) and mean number of years of exposure was 13.5 (10.1). In 52.3% of workers (23/44), chest radiographs presented a median category of 1/0 or above, and 18.2% (8/44) had a reduced FEV 1 . There was a significant association between exposure indices and x ray category. Histological studies of the lung biopsy showed lesions compatible with mixed dust fibrosis with no silicotic nodules. x Ray diffraction analysis of the lung dust residue and the bulk samples collected from work area showed similar mineralogical characteristics. Muscovite and kaolinite were the major mineral particle inclusions in the lung. Conclusion: Exposure to fine sericite particles is associated with the development of functional and radiological changes in workers inducing mixed dust lesions, which are distinct histologically from silicosis.

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“…Mica dust can cause pneumoconiosis (Short and Petsonk 1996; Zinman et al 2002), characterized by nodular and reticular infiltrates especially in the lower lung fields. However, pneumoconiosis due to mica appears to be rare (Morgan 1995).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Case Report: Silicatosis in a CarpetInstaller

Szeinuk

Wilk-Rivard

2007

Environ Health Perspect

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ContextChronic exposure to talc in the course of carpet installation can result in pneumoconiosis.Case presentationWe present a case of a young carpet installer who was diagnosed with silicatosis of the lung. Review of occupational history revealed that the patient had been working as a carpet installer for approximately 15 years, since he was 15 years of age. The patient was exposed to talc in the course of his work.DiscussionExposure to talc in the course of carpet installation has not been reported as a possible cause of pneumoconiosis. In this article we review different causes of silicatosis and discuss chronic exposure in the course of carpet installation and development of pneumoconiosis. In addition, we also review the relevance of mycobacterial infection in cases of silicosis and silicatosis.Relevance to Clinical or Professional PracticeExposure to talc in the course of carpet installation should be added to conditions that can cause pneumoconioses, specifically silicatosis of the lung.

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Mica dust as a cause of severe pneumoconiosis

Abstract: This report indicates that mica exposure may result in mica pneumoconiosis.

Cited by 20 publications

References 8 publications

Vermiculite, Respiratory Disease, and Asbestos Exposure in Libby, Montana: Update of a Cohort Mortality Study

Vermiculite, Respiratory Disease, and Asbestos Exposure in Libby, Montana: Update of a Cohort Mortality Study

Pneumoconiosis after sericite inhalation

Case Report: Silicatosis in a CarpetInstaller

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