Pulmonary abnormalities associated with occupational exposures at the Savannah River Site.

BACKGROUND

A program of medical evaluation for former Savannah River Site (SRS) workers at health effects due to exposures to hazardous or radioactive agents was conducted.

METHODS

This study includes data from 1,368 participants aged 45 years or older who were assessed regarding work-history and exposures to industrial agents. According to the standard industrial classification (SIC), participants were employed in five of the SIC divisions. Based on the International Labour Office Classification of Radiographs, two categories of pleural and parenchymal abnormalities were evaluated by a single radiologist. The SRS results were compared with the second national health and nutrition examination survey (NHANES II) results.

RESULTS

The odds ratio of the SRS male aged 45-75 compared to NHANES was 2.4 for pleura abnormalities and 0.8 for parenchymal abnormalities. Using logistic regression, the highest-risk worker division was construction (OR = 2.76); asbestos exposure was clearly associated with pleural abnormality (OR = 2.15).

CONCLUSIONS

Pulmonary abnormalities were higher in former SRS workers than that in general population. Asbestos and possibly other exposures were related to pulmonary disease in this population.