Studies on the Hazardous Effects and the Maximum Allowable Concentration of Pyrophyllite Dust

摘要

Pyrophyllite (H2Al2,Si4 O22, ) dust (P-dust) is a mixture of silica (10-40% ), differentproportions of a luminium oxide (Al2O3 ), and various metal compounds. People with occupa-tions known to be associated with exposure to P-dust include miners, other industrial workersand persons engaged in artistic carving. Currently, little is known about pyrophyllite pneumo-coniosis from P-dust. This study was designed to investigate the hazardous effects of P-dustand to suggest a maximum allowable concentration (MAC) of the dust.This.study included four parts: (i) Occupational epidemiology surveys in 781 workersfrom 1 pyrophyllite mine (PM) and four pyrophyllite carving mills (PCM), with a registra-tion rate of 98 %. (ii) In vitro studies: Six groups of rats were expeed to different levels ofP-dust; the cytotoxicity of P-dust on rat alveolar macrophages (AM) was investigated by de-termining the potassium’content of AM and the activity levels of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH)in AM culture fluid. (iii) Mineralogical analysis of P-dust: The contents of silica (SiO2 ), alu-minium (Al), ferrum (Fe), niikel (Ni), zinc (Zn) and copper (Cu) in hath PM-dust andPCMdust were determined. (iv ) Determination of P-dust MAC: Using the life-talbemethod, an investigation of the hygiene standard of P-dust was carried out in 625 workers ex-POSed to either PM-dust or PCM-dust, uPon whom routine radiographs were Performed.The results suggest that the risk of developing pneumoconiosis from pyrophyllite dust issignificantly higher for PM workers than for PCM workers. The prevalence rate of PCM-dustpneumoconiosis is significantly higher in men than in women. The content of SiO2 and AlO3in the mixture of P-dust is the most important factor in the etiology of pyrophyllitosis. De-pending on the different P-dust MAC values, we suggest that 2 rng/m3 and 4 mg/m’ shouldbe considered as the MAC for PM-dust and PCM-dust, respectively, and 3 mg/m’ fOr P-dust. We believe that establishing different hygiene standards is more accurate even thoughworkers are exposured to the "same"