670
Occup Environ Med 2001;58:670–677
Exposure to tremolite asbestos and respiratory health in Swedish dolomite workers A I Seldén, N P Berg, E A L Lundgren, G Hillerdal, N-G Wik, C-G Ohlson, L S Bodin
Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Örebro Medical Centre Hospital, SE-701 85 Örebro, Sweden A I Seldén N P Berg C-G Ohlson L S Bodin Workplace Air, National Institute for Working Life, SE-112 79 Stockholm, Sweden E A L Lundgren Department of Medical Sciences, Respiratory Medicine and Allergology, University Hospital, SE-751 85 Uppsala, Sweden G Hillerdal Division of Bedrock Geology, Geological Survey of Sweden, Kiliansgatan 10, SE-223 50 Lund, Sweden N-G Wik Correspondence to: Dr A Seldén
[email protected] Accepted 18 May 2001
Abstract Objectives—Deposits of carbonate rock like limestone and dolomite may contain tremolite asbestos. This study assessed the exposure to tremolite asbestos and the respiratory health of Swedish dolomite workers. Methods—95% of 137 eligible workers at two dolomite producing companies completed a self administered questionnaire that included questions on respiratory symptoms and were examined with spirometry as well as chest radiography. Total exposure to dust was gravimetrically measured and the tremolite asbestos content of the dust was assessed with polarisation and phase contrast microscopy. Results—Dolomite dust concentrations were moderate (median 2.8 mg/m3) and tremolite asbestos concentrations were generally below the limit of detection (
