Objective
The research project's aims are twofold: firstly, to determine the real risk of coalminers developing pneumoconiosis by examining the correlation between disease and levels of dust (which, generally speaking, has a high quartz content), and secondly, to compare the state of health of coalworkers with that of other occupational groups in order to establish how great the difference is.
The research will centre on a population of 2 800 miners not previously exposed to any risk of pneumoconiosis. The control group will comprise workers employed in the transport industry. The medical examinations and instrumental checks will be repeated at intervals so that a monthly dust exposure index, expressed in mg/m3 and % of quartz, can be established for each coalworker.
METHODS AND MEANS BY WHICH THESE AIMS ARE TO BE ACHIEVED
The organoleptic properties and the levels of dust will be recorded continuously at the various workplaces. The workers will undergo not only a medical examination but also an X-ray, an electrocardiogram and lung function tests. The availability of the laboratories of the National Silicosis Institute will enable the findings to be amplified, where appropriate, by specialist examinations of individuals. Further useful results will be proved by a series of haematochemical tests.
Topic(s)
Data not availableCall for proposal
Data not availableFunding Scheme
CSC - Cost-sharing contractsCoordinator
33006 OVIEDO
Spain