PULMONARY VENTILATORY FUNCTION IN TALCOSIS OF LUNG.

Pulmonary ventilatory function tests were performed in 20 workers who were engaged in the process of milling or mining of talc and who had clinical and roentgenographic findings compatible with talc pneumoconiosis. These workers were exposed for an average of 23 years to dusts containing predominantly talc admixed with other silicates (tremolite and anthrophyllite) and containing a small amount of free silica. The changes in pulmonary ventilatory function indicate the presence of a restrictive and/or obstructive breathing disorder. On the whole, there was no consistent correlation between the degree of pulmonary function impairment and the clinical, roentgenographic or environmental findings.