Graphite pneumoconiosis and its declining prevalence in Sri Lanka

A study of underground miners in a graphite mine in Sri Lanka was conducted in 1987. Twelve (3.4%) of the 340 workers examined had radiographic lesions suggestive of graphite pneumoconiosis. In comparison, a survey carried out in another mine in Sri Lanka in 1972 showed that 63 (18.3%) of the 344 workers examined had similar lesions. Though the two surveys were comparable, they were conducted in two different mines. Therefore, the conclusion that the reduction in the prevalence of graphic pneumoconiosis was due to the introduction of improved dust control measures could only be tentative.