[Pneumoconiosis and exposure to wood]

The authors report a case of an employee in the wood processing industry. The clinical presentation was respiratory with dyspnoea on effort. The chest x-ray showed bilateral interstitial changes. Following bronchioalveolar lavage electron microscopic studies showed evidence of silica particles. Respiratory function tests showed pulmonary performance of 51%-64% of theoretical values depending on the test used. His working position involved the up keep of the boilers and also the drainage of the silos for wood dust. The wood used was corupixa, a brazilian wood containing crystalline silica; 0.1% in fresh wood dust. Numerous analyses have specified the percentage of silica in the ashes in magma. The diagnosis of pneumoconiosis of the silicotic type was sustained. The occupational risk linked to using this type of wood should be understood and the need to take protective measures for the employees concerned.