JOPIC
Journal of Pulmonology and Intensive Care

The JoPIC is an independent-unbiased, peer-reviewed, and open-access journal of current national and international issues and reviews for original clinical and experimental research, interesting case reports, surgical techniques, differential diagnoses, editorial opinions, letters to the editor, and educational papers in pulmonology, thoracic surgery, occupational diseases, allergology, and intensive care medicine.

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Original Article
The relationship between elevated blood metal levels and pneumoconiosis profusion scores and opacity size: a study on foundry workers
Abstract
Aims: This study aims to describe the demographic, clinical, and radiological characteristics of foundry workers diagnosed with pneumoconiosis and to examine the association between blood metal levels and disease severity, particularly Labour Organization (ILO) pneumoconiosis radiologic profusion and opacity.
Methods: A total of 45 foundry workers with radiologically confirmed pneumoconiosis were included. Data on age, smoking history, pulmonary function tests, occupational duration, and working units were collected. Radiological assessment was performed using the International ILO classification. Workers were categorized into two groups based on whole blood metal concentration (normal vs. elevated). Comparative and correlation analyses were conducted.
Results: The cohort consisted predominantly of males (97.8%) with a mean age of 50.1 ± 7.8 years and a mean work duration of 18.3 ± 8.9 years. Profusion scores were category 1 in 55.6% and category >1 in 44.4%. Opacity types were mostly small and rounded (type p, 75.6%). A statistically significant inverse correlation was found between blood metal levels and profusion score (r = –0.348, p = 0.019), while profusion and opacity size were positively correlated (r = 0.335, p = 0.025). Work duration and smoking showed no significant association with radiologic severity. Workers in grinding and sandblasting units, despite “normal” blood metal levels, had more advanced radiological findings.
Conclusion: Disease severity may not directly correlate with measured blood metal levels but appears influenced by particle type, work unit, and preventive practices. These findings highlight the need for comprehensive occupational risk assessments beyond blood metal biomonitoring.

Keywords : Pneumoconiosis, foundry workers, ILO radiologic classification, blood metal levels

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Article available in :
Volume 3, Issue 3, 2025
Page : 53-57
https://doi.org/10.51271/JOPIC-0059
Article Information
Received : 20 Haz 2025
Accepted : 15 Tem 2025
Published : 20 Ağu 2025
Corresponding Author :

Bilge Akgündüz: Occupational Diseases Clinic, Eskişehir City Hospital, Eskişehir, Turkiye

[email protected]
Citation : Akgündüz B. The relationship between elevated blood metal levels and pneumoconiosis profusion scores and opacity size: a study on foundry workers. J Pulmonol Intens Care. 2025;3(3):53-57.

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