[Diffuse interstitial pulmonary fibrosis. Responsibility of hard metals]

In a factory processing Tungsten carbide and hard metals, of a hundred exposed workers, 15 showed signs of "irritation" which progressed in 5 to clinical, radiological and functional pulmonary fibrosis with altered CO transport. In one patient histological sections were studied and typical findings of dust inclusion seen. Diffuse interstitial fibrosis related to heavy metals is still not yet recognised as an industrial disease in France.