Silicosis in the metal mining industry : a revaluation, 1958-1961.

  • United States. Public Health Service.
Date:
[1964]
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Silicosis in the metal mining industry : a revaluation, 1958-1961. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    From the experience gained in this study of silicosis, the problem of classifying chest roentgenograms by three experienced interpreters is relatively simple within the broad I.L.O. groupings of small opacities, consistent with simple silicosis, and large opacities, con- sistent with complicated silicosis. There were somewhat greater problems involved in classifying roentgenograms in the gray zones between early silicotic changes, the doubtful or suspect groups, and a negative reading. Not infrequently there were one negative and two positive readings; one negative and two suspect readings; one positive, one suspect and one negative reading; or any combination of these early or borderline changes so important in evaluating pneumoconiosis control programs. While the experience gained by reading and dis- cussing a great volume of roentgenograms during this study reduced this problem very considerably, there is sometimes a real difference of opinion as to whether a given roentgenogram is within normal limits, or within the suspect or early silicotic categories. Apparently this situation occurs with any kind of classification. It is believed that the consensus rating of “Z” or doubtful is an important one to help with this problem. Serial film studies and special radiological tech- niques will reconcile many of the problem cases. REFERENCES 1. Fletcher, C. M., K. J. Mann, I. Davies, A. L. Cochrane, J. G. Gilson, and P. Hugh-Jones. Classification of Radiographic Appearances in Coalminers’ Pneumoconiosis, Journal of the Faculty of Radiologists, 1: 40-60, 1949. 2. Fletcher, C. M. Classification of Roentgenograms in Pneumoconiosis, A.M.A. Archives of Industrial Health, 11: 17-28, 1955. 3. Gilson, J. C. and P. Hugh-Jones. Lung Function in Coalworker’s Pneumo- coniosis. Special Report Series No. 290, London: Medical Research Coun- cil, Her Majesty’s Stationery Office, 1955. 4. Van Mechelen, V. and A. I. G. McLaughlin. The New International Classifi- cation of Radiographs of the Pneumoconioses, Annals of Occupational Hygiene, 4: 237-253, 1962. . Third International Conference of Experts on Pneumoconiosis (Sydney, 1950). I.L.0., Geneva, 1953. 6. Meeting of Experts on the International Classification of Radiographs of the Pneumoconioses. International Labour Office, Geneva, 1958. Occupational Safety and Health, 9, No. 2, 1959. . Lieben, J., E. P. Pendergrass, and W. W. McBride. Pneumoconiosis Study in Central Pennsylvania Coal Mines, Journal of Occupational Medicine, 3: 498-506, November 1961. 8. Shanks, S. C. and P. Kerley. A Tert-Book of X-ray Diagnosis. Chest, Vol. II: 52. Philadelphia and London: W. B. Saunders, 1962. C1 =]