Progressive massive fibrosis in workers outside the coal industry: A case series from New Mexico

Progressive Massive Fibrosis Risk Factors

“…The rate of PMF development in occupations exposed to silica outside of coal mining is unknown. In the limited literature, development of PMF has been described in sandblasters, stone workers, welders, metal workers, barium miners, and construction workers 4–6,28,29 . In our study, in addition to coal miners, PMF was found in dental technicians (n = 19), foundry workers (n = 15), sandblasting workers (n = 11), stone workers (n = 13), ceramic workers (n = 9), construction workers (n = 6), and welders (n = 2).…”

“…In the limited literature, development of PMF has been described in sandblasters, stone workers, welders, metal workers, barium miners, and construction workers. [4][5][6]28,29 In our study, in addition to coal miners, PMF was found in dental technicians (n = 19), foundry workers (n = 15), sandblasting workers (n = 11), stone workers (n = 13), ceramic workers (n = 9), construction workers (n = 6), and welders (n = 2). A study evaluating the high-resolution computed tomography findings of PMF in workers with silica exposure similarly found that, besides coal miners, patients with PMF primarily consisted of sandblasters, foundry workers, welders, and metal workers.…”