Radiological aspects of hard metal disease.

The results of 30 years screening of exposed workers in the hard metal industry are presented in a retrospective study. There were 11 workers who had radiographic signs of pulmonary fibrosis. No correlation was found between intensity and/or duration of exposure and the stage and progression of pulmonary fibrosis. In 45% of the cases there was progression of the fibrosis after cessation of the exposure. Steroid therapy in three cases relieved the subjective symptoms but there was no regression of the fibrosis.