Abstract
Summary 1. The historical aspects of pneumoconiosis in foundry workers are briefly reviewed. 2. Foundry processes are described. 3. The pathology of foundry workers' lungs is discussed in detail with special reference to the distinction between classical silicosis and mixed dust fibrosis. Pneumoconiosis (silicosis and/or mixed dust fibrosis) is the main cause of death in foundry workers. 4. Other causes of death include tuberculosis, carcinoma of bronchus, pneumonia, bronchiectasis and coronary thrombosis. Chronic bronchitis and emphysema are commonly found. Emphysema is bullous, generalised or focal. Focal emphysema is more often seen with mixed dust fibrosis than with classical silicosis. 5. Reference is made to chemical analyses of the mineral content of foundry workers' lungs. 6. The X-ray appearances of silicosis and mixed dust fibrosis are described. 7. The incidence of pneumoconiosis is shown to be higher in fettling (or castings cleaning) shops than in other foundry workrooms, and higher in steel than in iron fettling shops. By contrast iron moulding shops show a higher incidence of pneumoconiosis than steel moulding shops. 8. The prevention of pneumoconiosis in foundry works is briefly discussed.
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