4216.0: Tuesday, November 14, 2000 - 3:35 PM

Abstract #17130

Dust Related Lung Disease at the Nevada Test Site

Lewis D Pepper, MD, MPH1, Leslie Israel, MD2, Ray Meister, MD2, Judie Guerriero, RN2, Jody Lally, MS1, and Robert Harrison, MD, MPH2. (1) Environmental Health, Boston University School of Public Health, 715 Albany Street, Boston, MA 02118, 617-638-4620, lpepper@bu.edu, (2) Occupational Health Program, University of California at San Francisco, CA

Background: From 1951 through 1992, approximately 800 atmospheric and underground nuclear weapons tests were conducted at the Nevada Test Site (NTS). The underground tests were primarily the work of construction workers who dug the tunnels and re-entered them following the tests. This report focuses on the experience of approximately 1500 former NTS workers who have participated in the DOE funded on-going medical screening and surveillance program conducted in Las Vegas, Nevada..

Methods: We have notified and invited approximately 5,000 former NTS workers to a medical screening session. Workers complete an occupational and medical questionnaire, participate in a screening examination, and have biomedical tests performed including spirometry, chest x-ray, and audiometry. Individuals with specific exposures and/or screening abnormalities are invited back for routine follow-up screening.

Results: Of our 1100 participants to date, 88% report exposure to silica containing rock dust, 66% report exposure to asbestos, and 35% report accidental exposure to radiation. The participants are 60 years old and worked at the NTS for approximately 18 years, 30% never smoked, and 18% currently smoke. 24% have an FEV-1 less than 80% predicted and 15% have an FVC less than 80% predicted. Approximately 15% have B read chest x-rays of 1/0 or greater. The data will be considered in light of the cohort's known lung cancer risk factors.

Conclusions: Underground nuclear weapons workers were exposed to numerous respiratory fibrogenic and carcinogenic agents. Their risk for pneumoconiosis and lung cancer suggests that current occupational standards for these agents may be inadequate.

Learning Objectives: N/A

Keywords: Occupational Disease, Cancer Screening

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.

The 128th Annual Meeting of APHA