Pulmonary aluminosis in an aluminum worker
Kristensen, S.; Larsen, A.I.; Jepsen, J.R.; Moesner, J.; Schneider, T.
Tidsskrift for den Norske Laegeforening Tidsskrift for Praktisk Medicin Ny Raekke 108(5): 393-4 399
1988
ISSN/ISBN: 0029-2001 PMID: 3353934 Document Number: 309037
The occurrence of pulmonary aluminosis in workers in the aluminium processing and manufacturing industries has not previously been reported in Scandinavian scientific literature. Subclinical pulmonary aluminosis in a worker occupied with welding and polishing aluminium during 16 years under poor hygienic conditions is presented. Aluminium was identified in lung tissue and mediastinal lymph nodes. The importance of recognizing the clinical, histological and radiologic features of pulmonal aluminosis is emphasized. From a preventive point of view, diagnosing subclinical cases are just as important as clinical definite ones.