African mining industry
نویسندگان
چکیده
Accepted 29 July 1996 Abstract Objective-To determine whether previous health experiences affect the prevalence of occupational lung disease in a semirural Botswanan community where there is a long history of labour recruitment to South African mines. Method-A cross sectional prevalence study of 304 former miners examined according to a protocol including a questionnaire, chest radiograph, spirometry, and medical examination. Results-Overall mean age was 56 7 (range 28-93) years, mean duration of service 15*5 (range 2-42) years. 26'6% had a history of tuberculosis. 23-3% had experienced a disabling occupational injury. Overall prevalence of pnemoconiosis (> 1/0 profusion, by the International Labour Organisation classification) was 26.60/o-31-0%, and 6'8% had progressive massive fibrosis (PMF). Many were entitled to compensation under South African law. Both radiograph readers detected time response relations between pneumoconiosis and PMF among the 234 underground gold miners. PMF could result from < 5 years of exposure, but was not found < 15 years after first exposure. Both pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) and pneumoconiosis were found to be associated with airflow limitation. Conclusions-Former miners in Botswana have a high prevalence of previously unrecognised pneumoconiosis, indicative of high previous exposures to fibrogenic respirable dust. Their pneumoconiosis went unrecognised because they had no access to surveillance after employment. Inadequate radiographic surveillance or failure to act on results when employed or when leaving employment at the mines could have contributed to underrecognition. Community based studies of former miners are essential to fully evaluate the effects of minig exposures. Our findings indicate a failure of established measures to prevent or identify pneumoconiosis while these miners were in employment and show that few of the social costs of occupational lung diseases are borne by mining companies through the compensation system.
منابع مشابه
Sustainable development and environmental challenges in Cameroon’s mining sector: A review
Cameroon has a strong geological potential for a number of mineral resources that, if well managed, could support economic growth. The country contains potentially large deposits of iron ore, gold, bauxite, diamond, limestone, nickel, and gemstones, and indices of other numerous minerals and precious metals. Despite its geological wealth, mining has never played a major role in Cameroon’s econo...
متن کاملOccupational lung disease in the South African mining industry: research and policy implementation.
South African miners face an epidemic of occupational lung diseases. Despite a plethora of research on the mining industry, and the gold mining industry in particular, research impact (including disease surveillance) on policy implementation and occupational health systems performance lags. We describe the gold mining environment, and research on silicosis, tuberculosis, HIV and AIDS, and compe...
متن کاملHuman vibration levels in the South African mining industry
The prevalence of noise, and its effects on the health and safety of miners has been extensively studied in the mining and related industries. Mechanical vibration has received far less attention. Recent events in South Africa, such as the de-politicization of the unions, an increased awareness of the role of health and safety in the workplace and new health and safety legislation warrant a fre...
متن کاملPublic health implications of changing patterns of recruitment into the South African mining industry, 1973–2012: a database analysis
BACKGROUND The triple epidemic of silicosis, tuberculosis and HIV infection among migrant miners from South Africa and neighbouring countries who have worked in the South African mining industry is currently the target of regional and international control efforts. These initiatives are hampered by a lack of information on this population. METHODS This study analysed the major South African m...
متن کاملSeat selection guidelines to reduce whole-body vibration exposure levels in the SA mining industry
The short-term and long-term consequences of whole-body vibration (WBV) have been shown to adversely affect occupational health and safety. Some of these effects can lead to permanent disabilities, especially to muscoskeletal, spinal and gastro-intestinal disorders (Boshuizen and Hulshof1). One of the most common complaints from personnel exposed to high levels of WBV is that of lower back pain...
متن کامل