Falchi M, Paoletti L, Mariotta S, Giosue S, Guidi L, Biondo L, Scavalli P, Bisetti A
Department of Ultrastructures, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Roma, Italy.
Occup Environ Med. 1996 Nov;53(11):762-6. doi: 10.1136/oem.53.11.762.
To study the actual exposure of pottery workers to silica particles, as their risk of silicosis is potentially high because of the presence of inhalable crystalline silica particles in the workplace.
Nine pottery workers underwent bronchoalveolar lavage. The recovered fluid was analysed for cytological and mineralogical content by analytical transmission electron microscopy. The data were compared with those obtained from a control group composed of seven patients with sarcoidosis and six patients with haemoptysis.
Cytological results showed a similar profile in exposed workers and controls, whereas in patients with sarcoidosis a lymphocytic alveolitis was found. Microanalysis of the particulate identified the presence of silicates, CRSs, and metals. Pottery workers had higher numbers of total particles and CRSs, and had a higher silicate/metal ratio. In five workers, the presence of zirconium silicate was also detected. Patients with sarcoidosis had the lowest number of particles, and an inverted silicate/metal ratio.
Microanalysis by transmission electron microscope can provide useful information to assess occupational exposure to dusts.
研究陶工实际接触二氧化硅颗粒的情况，鉴于工作场所存在可吸入的结晶二氧化硅颗粒，他们患矽肺病的风险可能很高。
对9名陶工进行支气管肺泡灌洗。通过分析透射电子显微镜对回收的液体进行细胞学和矿物学含量分析。将数据与由7名结节病患者和6名咯血患者组成的对照组获得的数据进行比较。
细胞学结果显示，暴露工人和对照组的情况相似，而结节病患者中发现淋巴细胞性肺泡炎。对颗粒的微量分析确定存在硅酸盐、结晶二氧化硅颗粒和金属。陶工的总颗粒和结晶二氧化硅颗粒数量较多，且硅酸盐/金属比值较高。在5名工人中还检测到硅酸锆的存在。结节病患者的颗粒数量最少，且硅酸盐/金属比值倒置。
透射电子显微镜微量分析可为评估职业性粉尘接触提供有用信息。
