Pneumoconiosis in grain workers, oil and flour millers

Abstract

Chest disease and morbidity has been studied among a group of 31 persons (grain workers, oil and flour millers, flour packer) exposed to inhaling mixed vegetable dusts at work. Pulmonary fibrotic lesions or simple pneumoconiosis were found histologically in 4 out of 5 cases in which post-mortem examination was done. Radiologically, various types of lung damage (reticulation, micro-nodulation, irregular fibrosis) were encountered, conforming with the histological findings in 4 out of the 5 cases in which we were able to obtain post-mortem examination. Emphysema associated with this and other types of occupational lung disease has been discussed, and 10 cases of tuberculosis and 2 of bronchogenic carcinoma have been noted. Only in six cases were chest appearances normal.