Editorial

Silica Exposure and Silicosis: Action is Needed Now

Authors: Francesca Cainelli, MD, Matthew Naanlep Tanko, MBBS, Sandro Vento, MD

Abstract

Exposure to silica and subsequent silicosis continues to be a problem in developed countries,1 with more than 3.2 million workers exposed in the European Union in 2000, and is particularly prevalent in developing countries, where new clusters of cases have occurred (eg, denim sandblasters in Turkey2 and stone grinders in India3). In some cases, the disease ensues after a shorter duration of exposure, which is likely due to higher silica concentrations in the workplace.I In developing countries, silicosis is largely a hidden epidemic due to poor or nonexistent surveillance, and available data are likely to be underestimated. As an example, miners with severe silicosis can be declared medically unfit for work or abandon mining work, and thus many studies do not include follow up after employment ceases, when most cases occur.

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References

1. Laney AS, Petsonk EL, Attfield MD. Pneumoconiosis among underground bituminous coal miners in the United States: is silicosis becoming more frequent? Occup Environ Med August 26, 2010. [Epub ahead of print]
 
 
2. Akgun M, Araz O, Akkurt I, et al. An epidemic of silicosis among former denim sandblasters. Eur Respir J 2008;32:1295– 1303.
 
3. Tiwari RR, Sharma YK. Respiratory health of female stone grinders with free silica dust exposure in Gujarat, India. Int J Occup Environ Health 2008;14:280–282.
 
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5. Miller BG, MacCalman L. Cause-specific mortality in British coal workers and exposure to respirable dust and quartz. Occup Environ Med 2010;67:270–276.