Radiological progression and lung function in silicosis: a ten year follow up study.

Abstract

Chest radiographs and spirometric tests were performed on 81 patients who had silicosis from two granite quarries in 1975, 73 of whom were followed up for two to 10 (mean 7.2) years. Each patient's initial and most recent chest radiographs were assessed independently by three experienced readers, and the yearly declines in forced expiratory volume in one second and forced vital capacity were estimated from two to four (mean 3-45) serial spirometric readings. Estimates of individual dust exposure were based on …