ETHNIC-DIFFERENCES IN THE PREVALENCE OF NONMALIGNANT RESPIRATORY-DISEASE AMONG URANIUM MINERS

Objectives. This study (1) investigates the relationship of nonmaligna nt respiratory disease to underground uranium mining and to cigarette smoking in Native American, Hispanic, and non-Hispanic White miners in the Southwest and (2) evaluates the criteria for compensation of ethn ic minorities. Methods. Risk for mining-related lung disease was analy zed by stratified analysis, multiple linear regression, and logistic r egression with data on 1359 miners. Results. Uranium mining is more st rongly associated with obstructive lung disease and radiographic pnuem oconiosis in Native Americans than in Hispanics and non-Hispanic White s. Obstructive lung disease in Hispanic and non-Hispanic White miners is mostly related to cigarette smoking. Current compensation criteria excluded 24% of Native Americans-who, by ethnic-specific standards, ha d restrictive lung disease and 4.8% who had obstructive lung disease. Native Americans have the highest prevalence of radiographic pneumocon iosis, but are less likely to meet spirometry criteria for compensatio n. Conclusions. Native American miners have more nonmalignant respirat ory disease from underground uranium mining,and less disease from smok ing, than the other groups, but are less likely to receive compensatio n for mining-related disease.