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Airway inflammation in iron ore miners exposed to dust and diesel exhaust

¹ Dept of Public Health and Clinical Medicine, Respiratory Medicine and Allergy, and ² Dept of Public Health and Clinical Medicine, Occupational and Enviromental Medicine, Umeå University, and ³ National Institute for Working Life, Umeå, Sweden.

CORRESPONDENCE: E. Ädelroth, Dept of Respiratory Medicine and Allergy, University Hospital, S-901 85 Umeå, Sweden. Fax: 46 90141369. E-mail: ellinor.adelroth{at}lung.umu.se

Keywords: Airway inflammation, diesel exhaust, dust

Received: March 23, 2005
Accepted December 30, 2005

The aim of the present study was to investigate if underground miners exposed to dust and diesel exhaust in an iron ore mine would show signs of airway inflammation as reflected in induced sputum.

In total, 22 miners were studied, once after a holiday of at least 2 weeks and the second time after 3 months of regular work. Control subjects were 21 "white-collar" workers. All subjects completed a questionnaire regarding medical and occupational history, and underwent lung function testing and induced sputum collection. Total and differential cell counts and analyses of the fluid phase of the induced sputum were performed. Sampling of personal exposure to elemental carbon, nitrogen dioxide and inhalable dust was recorded.

The average concentrations of inhalable dust, nitrogen dioxide and elemental carbon were 3.2 mg·m^–3, 0.28 mg·m^–3 and 27 µg·m^–3, respectively. Miners had increased numbers of inflammatory cells, mainly alveolar macrophages and neutrophils, and increased concentrations of fibronectin, metalloproteinase-9 and interleukin-10 in induced sputum compared with controls.

In conclusion, miners in an underground iron ore mine demonstrated persistent airway inflammation that was as pronounced after a 4-week holiday as after a 3-month period of work underground in the mine.