Prospective study of deterioration in the respiratory function of coal miners

Ziel

The aim of the research is to analyze the incidence and prevalence of chronic bronchitis, asthma and functional respiratory complaints in a cohort of 400 coal miners who work at the coalface and drivage, i. e. in the coal-winning areas.

In particular, the study will enable us to :

- formulate a better definition of the incidence of respiratory diseases in coal miners in the light of technological developments in the mines of the Lorraine ;
- identify and establish the factors which can induce or aggravate obstructive long diseases - analyze the predictive values of clinical and functional disorders.

The subjects chosen will be miners under 40 who have been working underground for more than five years.

The group of exposed miners will consist of 400 miners who have been working at the coalface or un drivages for more than 5 years. The level of exposure to phenol-formaldehyde resins and isocyanates, the number of shifts during which the miners were exposed to these agents and the nature of other instances of occupational exposure will be determined.

The group of non-exposed miners will consist of 400 underground miners who have been exposed at the coalface or in drivages for less than two years and who have had relatively little exposure to nuisances which affect the respiratory system.

The study has been designed to include two examinations, five years apart, based upon the criteria of the principal clinical and respiratory function assessment . Chronic bronchitis and asthma will be defined according to the criteria of the American Thoracic Society (ATS).

METHODS AND MEANS BY WHICH THE AIMS ARE TO BE ACHIEVED

For each person the study will comprise:

- the complete ECSC questionnaire (1987 edition) ;
- a full clinical examination : cardio-vascular, ENT, pulmonary ;
- a standard pulmonary radiography ;
- a curriculum laboris, including position and occupational exposure ;
- the miners' coniotic load ;
- functional respiratory tests : measurement of average and maxima volumes and flows ; steady state carbon monoxide test ; single breath carbon monoxide test ; oxygen single inspiration test with analysis of the N2 expired curve; statistical analysis will comprise analysis of variants, linear regression, adjustment tests and relative risks assessment.

Programm/Programme

ECSC-MEDRES 5C - Fifth medical research programme (ECSC) "Protection of workers against risks arising from work in the coal and steel industries", 1988-1992

Thema/Themen

Data not available

Aufforderung zur Vorschlagseinreichung

Data not available

Finanzierungsplan

CSC - Cost-sharing contracts

Koordinator

INERIS

EU-Beitrag

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Frankreich

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