Pulmonary changes among vinyl chloride polymerization workers

Soon after the emergence of vinyl chloride as a new and potent carcinogen, producing hemangiosarcoma of the liver, a clinical study of exposed workers was undertaken in order to assess the prevalence of vinyl chloride induced adverse health effects. Linear reticular, and less often nodular, opacities were found on significant numbers of the VC PVC exposed workers' chest x ray films. The analysis showed a definite increase of x ray changes with length of exposure; the prevalence was significantly more elevated in workers with more than ten yr of VC PVC exposure as compared to those with shorter exposure time. Since the finding of small linear reticular and/or nodular opacities in VC PVC exposed workers was rather unexpected and no pathogenic explanation was yet available to suggest an interpretation, several other factors which may have had some relationship to the findings, smoking history, age, chronic bronchitis are considered. The pulmonary function tests showed a relatively high prevalence of obstructive changes. FEV₁/FVC was reduced (less than 75%) in approximately 45% of the examined workers. A pathology survey of lung slides from decreased VC PVC workers is now in progress in the authors department, and lung specimens from VC exposed animals are also reviewed.