Abstract
Hard metal disease is an occupational lung disorder occurring primarily among workers employed in the cemented tungsten carbide industry.1-6 Interstitial pulmonary fibrosis, acute obstructive pulmonary disease (asthma), and dermatitis are the main clinical manifestations of such exposure. The workers in this industry are at risk from exposure to powders of a variety of hard metals during the manufacture of tools. These metals include tungsten, titanium, tantalum, vanadium, niobium, and cobalt.1-3 They provide the hardness, strength, and heat resistance required in tools. Many are inert and harmless but cobalt is believed to be a causative agent of pulmonary disease. We performed thoracic computed tomography (CT) scans on 11 hard metal workers and describe the findings here.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
