Polyvinyl chloride pneumoconiosis: epidemiological study of exposed workers.

Among 1216 workers who were employed in a polyvinyl chloride production factory and who had had no previous dust exposure elsewhere, 20 cases of pneumoconiosis were found. Chest x-ray abnormalities were characterized by limited profusion, irregular type and low gravity. All 20 workers had been exposed to high PVC dust levels. The chest x-ray changes were observed after a minimum exposure of five years and, in a small percentage of cases, were associated with slight restrictive respiratory function impairments. Moreover, in the whole group of workers 388 cases (31.9%) were found with non-specific x-ray abnormalities mainly related to age and smoking.