Bentonite dust-induced occupational pneumoconiosis: a report of 2 cases / 中国职业医学

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the data of occupational pneumoconiosis caused by bentonite dust. METHODS: The data of 2 cases of occupational pneumoconiosis caused by bentonite dust was retrospectively analyzed. RESULTS: Both 2 cases had a clear history of occupational exposure to bentonite dust. Case 1 has a 14 years and case 2 has 7 years of bentonite exposure history. The radiographic examination of chest X-ray in both cases showed diffuse miliary nodules with high density in both lungs. The small opacity total profusion of chest X-ray images in both cases belong to category 2. The small opacity of lung in case 1 distributed in 5 areas,while case 2 distributed in 4 areas. The pulmonary function test for case 1 showed that the forced vital capacity( FVC) was 81. 4%,the first second forced expiratory volume( FEV_1) was 76. 8%and FEV_1/FVC was 74. 4%,mild pulmonary ventilation damage; lung function test results for case 2 showed FVC was84. 0%,FEV_1 was 90. 0%,FEV_1/FVC was 93. 0%,pulmonary ventilation function was in the normal range. Case 1 was diagnosed as occupational pneumoconiosis stage Ⅱ( bentonite); Case 2 was diagnosed as occupational pneumoconiosis stageⅠ( bentonite). CONCLUSION: The clinical symptoms and signs of occupational pneumoconiosis caused by bentonite dust are not obvious. Its diagnosis is mainly based on X-ray chest radiograph.