Prevalence Survey of Respiratory Abnormalities in New Mexico Uranium Miners

Abstract

To obtain additional data concerning uranium mining and nonmalignant respiratory diseases, we conducted a prevalence survey of 192 long-term New Mexico uranium miners. Survey procedures included spirometry, completion of a respiratory symptoms questionnaire, physical examination and interpretation of available chest x rays. Total duration of underground uranium mining was used as the exposure index. Of the major respiratory symptoms, only the prevalence of dyspnea increased significantly with duration of uranium mining. With linear multiple-regression analysis, small but statistically significant effects of mining were found for two spirometric parameters, the forced expiratory volume in one sec and the maximal midexpiratory flow. By the 1980 International Labor Organization (ILO) U/C classification, 12 of 143 participants with x rays available for interpretation had at least category 1/0 pneumoconiosis. The opacities were predominantly nodular and compatible with silicosis.

Mortality in uranium miners in west Bohemia: a long-term cohort study.

“…Decreased lung function has been shown in uranium miners in Colorado26 and New Mexico.27 Mortality from silicosis has been increased in several uranium miner cohorts,'0 11 1 " and in New Mexico chest x ray film abnormalities compatible with silicosis were found in 9% of miners examined. 27 In the Czechoslovak miners, however, only 10 death certificates mentioned silicosis or silicotuberculosis, and the mortality from non-malignant, non-infectious, respiratory diseases was mainly from chronic bronchitis and emphysema (59 cases). In the Colorado miners,10 and to a lesser extent those in Newfoundland"3 and New Mexico,'6 but not appreciably in Ontario," there seems to have been a raised risk of non-infective, non-malignant respiratory diseases other than silicosis.…”

What are the health costs of uranium mining? A case study of miners in Grants, New Mexico

“…respiratory symptoms), or the costs of contaminated water supplies on local residential populations. 5,23,[62][63][64][65][66][67][68] In addition, longer vital status follow-up on the UNM study cohort may reveal more excess lung cancer deaths than previously estimated. Subsequent updates of the Colorado Plateau uranium miner cohort have found progressively higher rates of excess lung cancer mortality.…”

“…This mining district in northwestern New Mexico was selected as the study area due to consistent findings linking radon exposure to lung cancer. 7,12,[23][24][25] Furthermore, the district yielded more uranium than any other mining district in the USA from 1948 to 2002, had large-scale operations dating back to the 1950s when radon exposure was significant, and had continuous underground mining for over 30 years. 24,26,27 While no Grants uranium mining is occurring today, Roca Honda Resources, LLC has proposed a new project, which would be the largest uranium mine in the USA.…”

Lung Cancer in a Nonsmoking Underground Uranium Miner

“…Uranium ores are often found in silica-containing deposits. Silicosis has been observed in 9% of uranium miners (12). Underground uranium miners may be at risk for diffuse fibrotic lung disease that is different from silicosis, but the cause of this type of damage is not clear.…”