Evaluation of Epidemiologic Studies Examining the Lung Cancer Mortality of Underground Miners.

摘要

An evaluation was conducted of 15 epidemiological studies which had reported excess lung cancer deaths among underground miners who worked in mines where radon progeny were present. Several studies showed a dose response relationship between progeny exposure and lung cancer mortality. The exposures to arsenic (7440382), diesel exhaust, smoking, chromium (7440473), nickel (7440020), and radiation in the mining environment can affect the risks of lung cancer due to radon progeny exposure. X-Ray surveillance and sputum cytology are ineffective in preventing radon progeny induced lung cancers in individual miners. It is felt that at present it is possible for the United States mining industry to meet a standard lower than the current annual exposure limit of 4 working level months (WLM). Current technology should be able to reach a limit of 1WLM. NIOSH recommends that the standard be accordingly lowered.