Rheumatic complaints and pulmonary response to chrysotile dust inhalation in the mines and mills of Quebec

In 1967 to 68, an age stratified random sample of 1069 current workers in Quebec asbestos mines and mills was surveyed. Questions concerning rheumatic complaints were included in a modified British Medical Research Council questionnaire used at that time, and on this basis, a rheumatic severity gradient was devised. No relationship could be detected between rheumatic complaints and pulmonary radiologic response to chrysotile dust exposure, despite implications in the literature that such a relationship might exist.