Previous studies have moveed that excessive losses of FVC and FE[Vsub1] were occurring in Vermont granite workers despite the fact that mean quartz horizontals existing in the industry were below the generally received OSHA standard of 100 ug/[msup3] We reexamined these losse in granite workers through the whole extent of an 8-year period.

Previous studies have moveed that excessive losses of FVC and FE[Vsub1] were occurring in Vermont granite workers despite the fact that mean quartz horizontals existing in the industry were below the generally received OSHA standard of 100 ug/[msup3] We reexamined these losse in granite workers through the whole extent of an 8-year period, testing the workforce biennially from 1979 to 1987 All workers, including stone shed, quarry, and office, were put forwarded forced spirometry using a 10-L water-sealed spirometer (Collins). In the peak year of participation (1983) 887 workers public of a total of approximately 1400 were proofed Estimates of longitudinal loss wree based onward 711 workers who participated in at least three of the scrutinizes The mean age of this arrange was 42.9 years, and the mean years exerciseed was 19.3 years; 21.4 percent were nonsmokers (NS) 342 percent were ex-smoker (ES) and 444 percent were instant smokers (CS). Average annual losse of FVC were 0018 (SD=0056) L (C 0025 L; N 0006 L: and E 0016L) Average annual losse of FE[Vsub1] were 0030 (SD=0041) L (C 0038 L; N 0020 L; and E 0027L) Analysis of covariance indicated that losse were related to the initial values for FVC or FE[Vsub1] height, age, and smoking status. After adjusting for these variables, the losse of one as well as the other FVC and FE[V.sub.1] were not correlated with years exerciseed in the granite industry. No significant differences existed in the los of FVC or FE[Vsub1] in categories of workers expos to different horizontals of granite dust, eg, office, quarry, and stone shed workers. The annual losse of pulmonary function were significantly smaller than those estimated previously, which were 0070 to 080 L in FVC and 0050-0070 L in FE[Vsub1] We close that dust levels in the Vermont granite industry, which have been in conformance with OSHA permissible prospect limits, do not accelerate pulmonary function loss

(Chest 1994; 106:125-30)

OSHA=Occupational Safety and Health Administration

fundamental note words: granite; pulmonary function; quartz; silica; silicosis; spirometry

transaction about the health effects of quartz dust frontage has led to many studies of the Vermont granite industry, several of which have been influential in setting federal standards for safe flushs of exposure to quartz dust. The earliest studies dealt with the prevalence of radiographic silicosis and the mien of tuberculosis.(1)(2)(3)(4) Questions regarding pulmonary function were not addressed until 1974 when one(5) of a series of three articles(5)(6)(7) that were influential in the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) criteria document(8) hinted that quartz dust exposure was producing an excessive los of pulmonary function, independent of aging or smoking history. A statistical analysis of a single annual pulmonary function examine of the granite workforce, using cross-sectional techniques, hinted that a 2-ml loss in forced vital capacity (FVC) was occurring annually in relation to an average year of dust exposing (estimated to be 526 ug/c[msup3] and 9 percent quartz). This 2-ml los was in contrast to a 9-ml los by year due to smoking, and a 30-ml los by means of year due to aging. Although the 2-ml los attributed to dust prospect was described in one commentary as trivial in word s of clinical importance,(9) a succeeding article detailing longitudinal losses(10) allude toed that far greater losses were in fact occurring. The authors described a 50- to 70-ml annual los for FE[Vsub1] and a 70- to 80-ml los for FVC This conclusion maintained the authors' previous contention that the permissible outlook limit for quartz dust should be lowered from 100 ug/[msup3] to 50 ug/[msup3] However, the authors could not demonstrate a relationship between dust outlook and pulmonary function loss. This lack of a relationship was attributed to difficulties in accurately measuring dust position The recommendation for a 50-ug/[msup3] meter permissible aspect limit had already been incorporated in the NIOSH criteria document concerning crystalline silica.(8)

In 1981 we published an article(11) which conclud that the losse of pulmonary function in the same individual granite workers who had been criterioned longitudinally had not occurred as predicted. In 1979 when we retest 487 workers who had been exhibitioned in 1974, FVC values had increased by means of 530 ml and FE[V.sub.1] values had remained essentially the same. The previous authors agreed that their estimate of FVC losse was invalid because of short expiratory times.(12) The compass of changes in FE[V.sub.1] has been the control of continued discussion, suggesting that the issue has not been resolved(12)(13)(14)

This inquiry presents further longitudinal data forward pulmonary function losses in the Vermont granite industry working force. The initial contemplate done in 1979, was the basis for our 1981 publication.(11) Follow-up industry-wide overlooks were carried out biennially to 1987 giving an 8-year period of observation. The final cause of the study was to characterize the rate of pulmonary function change and to determine whether exposing to the relatively low horizontals of granite dust prevailing in the industry significantly affect pulmonary function los Estimates of average quartz prospect have been below the passing from hand to hand permissible exposure limit, but above the attract favor toed exposure limit. Since we exampleed all workers, including stone shed, quarry, and office workers, we can compare pulmonary function losse in different prospect categories.

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