[Pneumoconiosis in abrasive industry workers]. / Pneumoconiose em trabalhadores de indústria de abrasivos.

Occupational lung disease is uncommon in workers of abrasive industries. Twenty-two workers of these industries presenting radiological lung lesions were analysed. All were males with ages ranging from 29 to 59 years. Nineteen worked in the production of silicon carbide, three in the production of aluminum dioxide and one in both for a period of 8 to 27 years. In 20 patients the predominant radiological changes (ILO-80) were small opacities. Association of small and large opacities was observed in one case and isolated large opacities in another one. The small opacities were predominantly round and diffuse. The large opacities in both patients were classified as being of category B. It is concluded that the workers in abrasive industries are at a higher risk of developing occupational lung disease produced by silicon carbide.