Evolution of hard metal pulmonary fibrosis in two artisan grinders of woodworking tools

The present study describes the medical history of two cases of pulmonary fibrosis in hard metal grinders. The poor chance of foreseeing the prognosis of this disease is particularly underlined. The two workers examined have been studied for about 6 years since the diagnosis. The disease was more severe in the subject who worked a shorter time and who left work because of the disease. In the other subject, who had worked longer and never left the job, the disease was less sever and has never deteriorated with time. Therefore, removing the affected subject from work is of major importance in preventing the progression of the disease, but this is in part connected to individual susceptibility, and the cessation of work and corticosteroid therapy are not always able to provide a cure. © 1994.