A study of lung function and chest radiographs in men exposed to zirconium compounds.

Men working with zirconium compounds at one site in the North of England have been monitored since 1975 to evaluate effects on the lung of exposure (mainly < 10 mg/m3) over many years. Chest radiographs (in 1975, 1978, and 1982) and lung function measurements (from 1975-1988) were carried out on all men (178) known to have worked with the compounds and an estimate of cumulative exposure was computed from job title and likely exposures in each era. No evidence was found that zirconium exposure resulted in abnormal chest radiographs or impaired pulmonary function.