Sithembile L Mabila1, Kirsten S Almberg2, Lee Friedman2, Robert A Cohen2, Ntombizodwa Ndlovu3, Naseema Vorajee4,5, Jill Murray4,3. 1. Division of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University of Illinois at Chicago, 1603 W. Taylor St (Room 1115), Chicago, IL, 60612, USA. sl.mabila@gmail.com. 2. Division of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University of Illinois at Chicago, 1603 W. Taylor St (Room 1115), Chicago, IL, 60612, USA. 3. School of Public Health, University of Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa. 4. National Institute of Occupational Health, Johannesburg, South Africa. 5. School of Pathology, University of Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa.
Abstract
PURPOSE: To examine associations between mine commodity such as coal, platinum, or diamonds and emphysema among South African miners at autopsy. METHODS: We examined the association between mine commodity and emphysema using the Pathology Automation (PATHAUT) database, 1975-2014. Exposure was characterized as longest tenure in each commodity. We constructed separate multivariable logistic regression models for black and white miners. Smoking was assessed in a sub-analysis of white miners. RESULTS: Among black miners, coal mining was significantly associated with increased odds of emphysema [OR = 2.39 (95% CI 1.86, 3.07)] when compared to gold mining. Asbestos was also associated with significantly increased odds of emphysema among black miners [OR = 1.47 (95% CI 1.01, 2.12)]. No associations between commodity and emphysema were observed among white miners. Cumulative years of exposure and age at death were significant predictors for emphysema for both black and white miners. Smoking was a significant predictor of emphysema in the sub-analysis of white miners with smoking information, but no effect of commodity was observed. CONCLUSIONS: We observed a significant association between coal mining and emphysema among black miners. Adverse health effects of coal mining are evidenced by more than twofold increase in emphysema among black coal miners compared to gold miners. This suggests that South African Coal miners are exposed to high dust concentrations or more damaging components compared to other commodities, resulting in elevated risk of emphysema.
PURPOSE: To examine associations between mine commodity such as coal, platinum, or diamonds and emphysema among South African miners at autopsy. METHODS: We examined the association between mine commodity and emphysema using the Pathology Automation (PATHAUT) database, 1975-2014. Exposure was characterized as longest tenure in each commodity. We constructed separate multivariable logistic regression models for black and white miners. Smoking was assessed in a sub-analysis of white miners. RESULTS: Among black miners, coal mining was significantly associated with increased odds of emphysema [OR = 2.39 (95% CI 1.86, 3.07)] when compared to gold mining. Asbestos was also associated with significantly increased odds of emphysema among black miners [OR = 1.47 (95% CI 1.01, 2.12)]. No associations between commodity and emphysema were observed among white miners. Cumulative years of exposure and age at death were significant predictors for emphysema for both black and white miners. Smoking was a significant predictor of emphysema in the sub-analysis of white miners with smoking information, but no effect of commodity was observed. CONCLUSIONS: We observed a significant association between coal mining and emphysema among black miners. Adverse health effects of coal mining are evidenced by more than twofold increase in emphysema among black coalminers compared to gold miners. This suggests that South African Coalminers are exposed to high dust concentrations or more damaging components compared to other commodities, resulting in elevated risk of emphysema.
Entities:
Keywords:
Commodity; Emphysema; Mining; Occupation; PATHAUT; South Africa
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