Chronic Silicosis Research Articles

Correlation of spirometry findings and post-six-minute walk test oxygen desaturation in chronic simple silicosis patients with age, duration of silica exposure, smoking pack years, occupation and mean pulmonary artery pressure.

Silicosis is associated with preventable but irreversible lung damage. Early quantifiable assessment of silicosis workers would promote early interventional steps to reduce health deterioration. The objectives of this study were to correlate spirometry findings and post-six-minute walk test oxygen desaturation (post-6MWT OD) in chronic simple silicosis with age, duration of silica exposure (DSE), smoking pack years (SPY), occupation, and mean pulmonary artery pressure. Based on occupational exposure to silica and radiologic confirmation of chronic simple silicosis, 104 patients (all males) were enrolled and grouped based on SPY (nil, 1-10, 11-20, and >20) and occupation (drillers and dressers). They were further investigated with spirometry, post-6MWT OD, and transthoracic echocardiography (TTE), and findings were statistically analyzed. Abnormal spirometry findings were seen in 62.5% of total cases (65/104), with the highest percentage in the >20 SPY group (84%; 21/25) and drillers (68.3%; 28/41). The post-6MWT OD was seen in 50.96% of cases (53/104) with the highest percentage in the >20 SPY group (56%; 14/25) and drillers (63.4%; 26/41). Normal and restrictive patterns were predominant among <20 SPY groups, while obstructive and mixed patterns were prevalent in the >20 SPY group. Normal, obstructive, and restrictive patterns were predominant among dressers, while mixed patterns were in drillers. Mean age and mean DSE were higher for >20 SPY group and dressers; obstructive and mixed patterns; and patients with post-6MWT OD. Pulmonary hypertension was significantly associated with the presence of abnormal spirometry patterns (69.3%; 45/65) and post-6MWT OD (79.3%; 42/53). Mean forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1)/forced vital capacity (FVC) was significantly lower for the >20 SPY group. Mean FEV1 had an inverse relation with SPY, and mean FVC was lower for drillers than dressers. Spirometry, post-6MWT OD, and TTE assessment give a complete overview of the cardiopulmonary exercise capacity of chronic silicosis patients and facilitate early interventions with special consideration for workers involved in machine-based mining activity.

Scoping review of exposure questionnaires and surveys in interstitial lung disease

BackgroundMany interstitial lung diseases (ILDs) have clear causal relationships with environmental and occupational exposures. Exposure identification can assist with diagnosis, understanding disease pathogenesis, prognostication and prevention of disease progression and...

Prevalence of pulmonary hypertension in chronic simple silicosis patients and its correlation with smoking history, occupation type, age and duration of silica exposure.

Silicosis is a preventable occupational health hazard with potential for permanent physical disability and increased socio-economic burden. Pulmonary hypertension (PH) secondary to chronic respiratory diseases signifies poorer prognosis and transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) has proven its usefulness as a screening tool for PH diagnosis. The objectives were to determine PH prevalence in chronic simple silicosis patients through TTE screening and correlate PH prevalence with smoking status, occupation type, age and duration of silica exposure (DSE). We enrolled 104 patients in the study based on occupational exposure to silica dust and radiologic confirmation of chronic simple silicosis. The study sample was divided into significant smokers (SS group) and insignificant smokers (InS group) on the basis of ≥10 pack years smoking history, and into drillers and dressers based on occupation type. TTE examination was performed to measure resting mean pulmonary artery pressure (mPAP) and the patients were classified into: no PH (mPAP≤20 mm Hg), borderline PH (mPAP>20 and <25 mmHg), and PH (mPAP≥25). PH prevalence was 25% in study subjects (26/104); 29.6% (16/54) among SS group versus 20% (10/50) among InS group (.52) ; and 34.2% (14/41) among drillers versus 19.1% (12/63) among dressers (p=.024). Mean age and mean duration of silica exposure among SS and InS groups were comparatively similar, while they had lower values among dressers against dressers with no statistical significance. Logistic regression analysis established a significant association of PH prevalence with higher age in the study sample, SS group and drillers group, while a significant association of PH prevalence with longer DSE was only seen in the study sample. PH prevalence was significantly associated (p=.007) with SS-driller group on comparing TTE findings with combined smoking and occupation type based groups. This study has shown PH prevalence in chronic simple silicosis patients at alarming levels, having associations with driller occupation, older age and longer DSE with varying results among groups and complex interplay with smoking exposure, suggesting the need for large sample-based molecular and genetic studies. Including TTE in the initial work-up of silicosis patients will promote timely intervention and reduce morbidity and mortality with a high benefit-cost ratio.

Mining Migrant Worker Recruitment Policy and the Production of a Silicosis Epidemic in Late 20th-Century Southern Africa.

Between the 1980s and 2000s, an epidemic of silicosis was identified in migrant black gold miners, many from neighbouring countries, who had worked in the South African gold mines. This study uses the newly available employment database of a large gold mining company to demonstrate how a sustained rise in employment duration in a new cohort of black migrant workers resulted from changes in recruitment policy, and it examines the implications for current surveillance and redress. Contract data of 300,774 workers from the employment database of a multi-mine gold mining company were analysed for 1973-2018. Piecewise linear regression was applied to determine trends in cumulative employment, including South African versus cross-border miners. The proportions with cumulative employment of at least 10, 15, or 20 years, typical thresholds for chronic silicosis, were also calculated. Five calendar phases were identified between 1973 and 2018. During the second phase, 1985-2013, mean cumulative duration of employment rose fivefold, from 4 to 20 years. Cumulative employment continued to rise, although more slowly, before peaking in 2014 at 23.5 years and falling thereafter to 20.1 years in 2018. Over most of the 1973-2018 period, miners from neighbouring countries had greater cumulative employment than South African miners. Overall, the proportion of miners exiting with at least 15 years of cumulative employment rose from 5% in 1988 to 75% in 2018. This report identifies a number of fundamental changes in labour recruitment policy in the gold mining industry in the 1970s which provide an explanation for the subsequent rise in cumulative exposure and associated silicosis risk. These new data support the hypothesis of a silicosis epidemic driven by increasing cumulative silica dust exposure in a new cohort of circular migrant workers from the 1970s. They inform current programmes to improve surveillance of this neglected population for silicosis and related disease and to provide medical examinations and compensation to a large number of former gold mines. The analysis highlights the lack of information on cumulative employment and silicosis risk among migrant miners in previous decades. The findings have global relevance to the plight of such migrant workers in hazardous occupations.

Merits and Demerits of Various Biomarkers of Chronic Lung Diseases with Special Reference to Club Cell Protein 16 (CC16) and Early Detection of Chronic Silicosis - A Review Article

Merits and Demerits of Various Biomarkers of Chronic Lung Diseases with Special Reference to Club Cell Protein 16 (CC16) and Early Detection of Chronic Silicosis - A Review Article

Interstitial lung disease associated with systemic sclerosis in a patient with long-term employment as a marble worker

Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a disease characterized by vasculopathy, fibrosis of the skin and internal organs, most often complicated by interstitial lung disease (ILD). The incidence of SSc reaches 20 cases per 1 million population per year, while changes in the lungs are found in more than half of patients and are characterized by a rapid increase in fibrosis, poorly controlled respiratory failure, and an unfavorable prognosis. It is important to trace the features of the formation and course of ILD and its relationship with occupational hazards in patients diagnosed with SSc. Dust pathology of the respiratory organs (chronic dust bronchitis and silicosis) is most typical for people with long work experience in mining. Silicosis in these patients may be accompanied by SSc with rapid progression of bronchial obstruction, restrictive disorders, as well as myocardial involvement and the development of pulmonary hypertension.

Green Tea Polyphenol (-)-Epigallocatechin-3-Gallate (EGCG): A Time for a New Player in the Treatment of Respiratory Diseases?

(-)-Epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) is a major polyphenol of green tea that possesses a wide variety of actions. EGCG acts as a strong antioxidant which effectively scavenges reactive oxygen species (ROS), inhibits pro-oxidant enzymes including NADPH oxidase, activates antioxidant systems including superoxide dismutase, catalase, or glutathione, and reduces abundant production of nitric oxide metabolites by inducible nitric oxide synthase. ECGC also exerts potent anti-inflammatory, anti-fibrotic, pro-apoptotic, anti-tumorous, and metabolic effects via modulation of a variety of intracellular signaling cascades. Based on this knowledge, the use of EGCG could be of benefit in respiratory diseases with acute or chronic inflammatory, oxidative, and fibrotizing processes in their pathogenesis. This article reviews current information on the biological effects of EGCG in those respiratory diseases or animal models in which EGCG has been administered, i.e., acute respiratory distress syndrome, respiratory infections, COVID-19, bronchial asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, lung fibrosis, silicosis, lung cancer, pulmonary hypertension, and lung embolism, and critically discusses effectiveness of EGCG administration in these respiratory disorders. For this review, articles in English language from the PubMed database were used.

Occupational respiratory diseases: risk assessment, laboratory markers, quality of life

The article is devoted to the definition and assessment of occupational risk, laboratory markers and quality of life in occupational diseases of the respiratory system and in industrial workers who come into contact with high concentrations of industrial fibrogenic aerosols. The conducted research allows assessing the personalized risk, laboratory markers and quality of life in chronic dust bronchitis, silicosis and pneumoconiosis from exposure to highly dispersed welding aerosols, and optimize prevention strategies for this patho

Tetracycline ameliorates silica-induced pulmonary inflammation and fibrosis via inhibition of caspase-1

BackgroundInhalation of dust containing silica particles is associated with severe pulmonary inflammation and lung injury leading to chronic silicosis including fibrotic remodeling of the lung. Silicosis represents a major global health problem causing more than 45.000 deaths per year. The inflammasome-caspase-1 pathway contributes to the development of silica-induced inflammation and fibrosis via IL-1β and IL-18 production. Recent studies indicate that tetracycline can be used to treat inflammatory diseases mediated by IL-1β and IL-18. Therefore, we hypothesized that tetracycline reduces silica-induced lung injury and lung fibrosis resulting from chronic silicosis via limiting IL-1β and IL-18 driven inflammation.MethodsTo investigate whether tetracycline is a therapeutic option to block inflammasome-caspase-1 driven inflammation in silicosis, we incubated macrophages with silica alone or combined with tetracycline. The in vivo effect of tetracycline was determined after intratracheal administration of silica into the mouse lung.ResultsTetracycline selectively blocks IL-1β production and pyroptotic cell death via inhibition of caspase-1 in macrophages exposed to silica particles. Consistent, treatment of silica-instilled mice with tetracycline significantly reduced pulmonary caspase-1 activation as well as IL-1β and IL-18 production, thereby ameliorating pulmonary inflammation and lung injury. Furthermore, prolonged tetracycline administration in a model of chronic silicosis reduced lung damage and fibrotic remodeling.ConclusionsThese findings suggest that tetracycline inhibits caspase-1-dependent production of IL-1β in response to silica in vitro and in vivo. The results were consistent with tetracycline reducing silica-induced pulmonary inflammation and chronic silicosis in terms of lung injury and fibrosis. Thus, tetracycline could be effective in the treatment of patients with silicosis as well as other diseases involving silicotic inflammation.

Physical and chemical properties of dust in the Pre-Aral region of Uzbekistan

The aim of this work is study of physical and chemical properties of dust of the Pre-Aral region of Uzbekistan such as Karakalpakstan and Khorezm that are located near the three deserts such as the Aralkum, Karakum, and Kyzylkum. The dust particles fell on glass have been collected in Karakalpakstan and Khorezm and studied systematically by employing wide range of methods. Particle volume vs size distribution has been measured with maximum around 600 nm and ~ 10 µm. The major and minor constituent materials present in the dust have been studied systematically by X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy, energy dispersive X-ray diffraction, and inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopy. Main characteristic absorption bands corresponding to Si–O, Si–O-Si bonding in quartz and Fe–O bonds in hematite Fe2O3 have been identified by infrared and Raman spectroscopy. Quartz, hematite, lime, corundum, magnesia, and several other trace minerals have been identified in the dust particles. X-ray diffraction peaks corresponding to quartz, hematite, and corundum are sharp and are found to be more crystalline with some level of disorder. Analysis of the particle size and crystallinity on human being has been performed: disordered or crystalline quartz can create the lung disease; the particles in the size of 0.5–0.7 µm may produce diseases such as chronic silicosis, silicosis, and silica tuberculosis whereas hematite might create lung disease. Dust particles worsen optical transmittance of glass of the panels.Graphical abstract

Silicose et hémoptysie

Pneumoconiosis is defined as a diffuse interstitial lung disease secondary to inhalation of mineral particles. Haemoptysis is common in pneumoconiosis. But it is usually secondary to bronchiectasis, bronchitis or pulmonary tuberculosis occurring with silicosis. A 74-year-old Portuguese man, known to have chronic respiratory failure secondary to chronic silicosis, was treated for moderate haemoptysis. CT angiography revealed bilateral fibrosing peri-hilar masses, inferior lobe nodules and previously known mediastinal lymphadenopathy, without active bleeding. Fibreoptic bronchoscopy showed an anthracotic appearance with lesions typical of silicosis on pathological examination of trans-bronchial biopsies and needle aspiration of mediastinal adenopathy by endobronchial ultrasound. After a full aetiological assessment, no cause other than silicosis has been identified. Haemoptysis is frequently observed in silicosis, but it results from silicosis complications. It is not a classic complication of isolated silicosis.

Silicosis With Secondary Spontaneous Pneumothorax in the Western Rajasthan.

ObjectiveSilicosis is one of the common occupational lung diseases caused by crystalline silica respiration. Pneumothorax is one of the most common and morbid complications of silicosis involving lung pleura. It is commonly seen unilaterally in chronic silicosis and can often be lethal. The purpose of this study is to report secondary spontaneous pneumothorax (SSP) in critically ill patients with silicosis.MethodsA cross-sectional study was done between January 2019 and June 2019 at Sawai Man Singh (SMS) Medical College in Jaipur, India. A cohort of 50 patients with dyspnea and a history of silicosis were studied. A chest X-ray and sputum for acid fast bacilli were checked on all suspected cases.ResultsThe present study showed that the mean age of patients was 38.7 years, all silicosis patients had dyspnea, and 96% of patients had severe chest pain. The results of chest X-rays concluded the evidence of silicosis. Bilateral pneumothorax was seen in three cases, right-sided pneumothorax in eight cases, and left-sided pneumothorax in 11 cases. The rate of pneumothorax incidence in silicosis patients was about 44%, which is higher than the current evidence. Six patients were managed conservatively with oxygen and bronchodilators, and 16 patients underwent through tube thoracostomy.ConclusionThis study highlights the importance of considering spontaneous pneumothorax in patients who are presenting with shortness of breath and/or chest pain especially with a known history of silicosis, as the timely diagnosis can alter the management of this morbid condition which carries a high mortality rate if left untreated, compromising the lung expansion, venous return, cardiac output, oxygenation and eventually leading to death.

A CASE OF MAC IN A PATIENT WITH CHRONIC SILICOSIS

SESSION TITLE: Medical Student/Resident Occupational and Environmental Lung Disease SESSION TYPE: Med Student/Res Case Rep Postr PRESENTED ON: October 18-21, 2020 INTRODUCTION: Our patient is a 32-year-old male with chronic silicosis who presented with one week of worsening dyspnea and cough in the setting of a 40 pound weight loss over 3 months. CASE PRESENTATION: The patient was diagnosed with silicosis in 2015 (Image 1) in the setting of prolonged work with cutting porous stone without use of PPE; he had a negative mycobacterial work-up then. He was lost to follow-up and continued to work until one week prior to this presentation. On hospital presentation he was found to be febrile, severely cachectic, using accessory muscles for respiration, and with fine bilateral inspiratory crackles diffusely. He was subsequently admitted to the ICU for hypercapnic and hypoxemic respiratory failure requiring non-invasive ventilation (NIV). CT findings suggested progressive massive fibrosis (PMF) with eggshell calcifications of mediastinal lymph nodes; however, a cavitary infectious process could not be ruled out (Image 2 and 3). He was started on empiric antibiotics for bacterial pneumonia. Laboratory testing revealed negative bacterial, fungal, and viral sputum/blood cultures. He showed marginal improvement in respiratory status after initiating NIV and completing antibiotics. Although the initial AFB sputum smears were negative, two weeks later two separate AFB cultures each grew Mycobacterium Avium Complex (MAC). He was fully weaned off NIV after starting anti-mycobacterial therapy. Given the imaging and his clinical improvement, this decompensation was thought to be secondary to PMF with MAC superinfection. DISCUSSION: Silicosis occurs following chronic occupational exposure to aerosolized silica from mining, stone cutting, or sandblasting. Patients often are asymptomatic despite abnormal x-ray findings. Imaging of chronic silicosis typically follows nodular patterns of inflammation (which was noted on our patient's initial diagnosis) and in more acute presentations ground-glass opacities and crazy paving have been described. Our patient's clinical presentation and CT findings of diffuse coalescent densities and cavitations led us to consider PMF and mycobacterial disease over simple silicosis. PMF is a rare, and in most cases irreversible, complication of silicosis defined as conglomeration of dense fibrosis preferentially involving the upper lung lobes. Eggshell calcifications of lymph nodes are often described. Mycobacterial infection is also a rare complication of silicosis, classically with mycobacterium tuberculosis (TB); however there have been many case reports with silicosis patients developing MAC infections. These mycobacterial infections present with constitutional and TB-like symptoms such as weight loss. CONCLUSIONS: Progressive massive fibrosis in silicosis is a rare complication that leads to severe structural lung disease and respiratory failure. Mycobacterial superinfection, including MAC, should be considered in decompensated patients with silicosis. Reference #1: Jiro Fujita,Takumi Kishimoto,Yuji Ohtsuki,Eriko Shigeto,Takayuki Ohnishi,Masahiro Shiode,Yasufumi Yamaji,Ichizo Suemitsu,Ichiro Yamadori,Shuji Bandoh,Kazutaka Nishimura,Toshiharu Matsushima,Toshihiko Ishida. Clinical features of eleven cases of Mycobacterium avium-intracellulare complex pulmonary disease associated with pneumoconiosis. Respir Med. 2004 Aug;98(8):721-5. DISCLOSURES: No relevant relationships by Neel Bhan, source=Web Response No relevant relationships by Nicola Hanania, source=Web Response No relevant relationships by Lauren Nicholas Herrera, source=Web Response No relevant relationships by Hal Zhang, source=Web Response

A CASE OF ACUTE SILICOSIS WITH SEVERE PULMONARY HYPERTENSION

SESSION TITLE: Medical Student/Resident Occupational and Environmental Lung Disease SESSION TYPE: Med Student/Res Case Rep Postr PRESENTED ON: October 18-21, 2020 INTRODUCTION: Silicosis occurs from inhalation of silica dust particles. Acute and accelerated silicosis share nodular formations as seen in chronic silicosis but have granular lipo-proteinaceous collections in the alveolar spaces [1]. These collections impair gas exchange resulting in cyanosis, and ultimately respiratory failure usually exacerbated by respiratory infections. We report a case of a young patient developing acute silicosis from working in a gold mine. CASE PRESENTATION: A 30-year-old African man presented with a 2-week history of worsening shortness of breath associated with productive cough and pleuritic chest pain. The patient was previously diagnosed with progressive massive fibrosis (PMF) and silicosis via lung biopsy at an outside hospital, attributed to a 3-year long silica exposure from gold mining in West Africa. Our patient was initiated on intravenous glucocorticoids, broad spectrum antibiotics, and noninvasive positive pressure ventilation for acute hypoxic and hypercarbic respiratory failure. Chest radiograph revealed extensive bilateral airspace opacities (figure 1). CT-chest showed extensive bilateral perihilar parenchymal opacities with traction bronchiectasis, consistent with PMF (figure 2)(figure 3). Transthoracic echocardiogram showed septal wall abnormalities and a right ventricular systolic pressure of 173 mmHg measured via tricuspid regurgitant jet. The patient’s condition stabilized during hospitalization and the patient was discharged home on prednisone and oxygen supplementation via nasal cannula. Three weeks after discharge, the patient presented again with recurrent acute respiratory failure with a positive viral PCR for RSV requiring intubation and mechanical ventilation. Shortly after intubation, the patient went into cardiac arrest and expired. DISCUSSION: Generally, silicosis presents as a chronic condition but rarely, acute silicosis, most often related to massive exposure, can present within a few years . Lung transplantation is the only definitive treatment of advanced silicosis with studies showing successful lung transplantation with the 6-month, 1-year and 3-year survival rates of 86, 86, and 76 percent respectively [2]. One case report examined initiation of intravenous glucocorticoid therapy followed by oral prednisone which showed transient improvement in chest radiography and pulmonary function tests [3]. Unfortunately, treatment with glucocorticoid therapy was unable to alter the outcome of our patient. Lung transplantation was in the process for the patient but was unable to be obtained. CONCLUSIONS: This case presents a rare case of acute silicosis/PMF with severe pulmonary hypertension, who developed respiratory failure after RSV infection leading to death. Reference #1: Ozkan M, Ayan A, Arik D, Balkan A, Ongürü O, Gümüş S. FDG PET findings in a case with acute pulmonary silicosis. Ann Nucl Med 2009;23:883–886. Reference #2: Singer, J. P., et al. “Survival Following Lung Transplantation for Silicosis and Other Occupational Lung Diseases.” Occup Med (Lond) 62.2 (2012): 134-7. Print. Reference #3: Goodman, George B., et al. “Acute Silicosis Responding to Corticosteroid Therapy.” Chest 101.2 (1992): 366-70. Print. DISCLOSURES: No relevant relationships by Khaled Abu-Ihweij, source=Web Response No relevant relationships by Sung Choi, source=Web Response no disclosure on file for Keith Guevarra; No relevant relationships by John Wisener, source=Web Response

Investigation of the health effects on workers exposed to respirable crystalline silica during outdoor and underground construction projects.

Chronic exposure of workers to powder containing crystalline silica (Silicon dioxide; SiO2) can lead to chronic lung diseases (lung cancer, silicosis, etc.). Aim of this study was to evaluate the exposure of Greek construction workers to SiO2 and describe their pulmonary function. The study involved 86 outdoor and underground workers. Medical and professional history was obtained, and breath samples were collected at morning hours through a mask for the determination of SiO2 levels. Pulmonary function tests, radiological examination and evaluation of radiographs were also performed. Pulmonary function examination showed that the majority of the workers were within normal range (61.4%) while the rest were diagnosed with mild (26.5%) and more severe impairment (7.24%). Working conditions (underground-outdoor) were statistically significantly related to the categorization of pulmonary function (P=0.038). During radiological examination, the type of working activity/ conditions (underground-outdoor) were statistically significantly related to the categorization of these findings (P=0.044). Of the 69 employees, 52 did not present findings (75.4%) and 5 were diagnosed with findings specific to occupational diseases (7.23%). Environmental exposure to respirable crystalline silica (RCS) was detected at 0.0125 mg/m3 in the workplace, which is not beyond the legal limits. Underground workers with more than 15 years of exposure to SiO2 are more likely to present chronic silicosis compared to the workers of outdoor activities.

Ethical issues in expanding latent TB management in high burden countries.

Global efforts are being made to eliminate tuberculosis (TB) as a public health problem by 2030. These efforts are being thwarted by the challenge of effective management to minimise the progression of latent TB infection (LTBI) to TB, thereby interrupting the chain of transmission. Approximately 5%-10% LTBI cases eventually develop TB in their lifetime with the risk being higher in children, people living with HIV/AIDS (PLHIV), undernourished people, and patients with diabetes, chronic kidney disease, silicosis, and other comorbid conditions. Apart from operational barriers, complex ethical issues govern decision-making processes in either retaining current LTBI management practices or advocating implementation of the latest World Health Organization guidelines, which suggest extending treatment to vulnerable groups who have a higher risk of progression to TB. Newer LTBI treatment regimens have a diminished risk of toxicity that allays threats to patient safety. Public health justification for treating LTBI can also override patient autonomy, but the lack of a patient-centred approach is associated with poor adherence and treatment outcomes. Cost-effectiveness studies need to evaluate the gains and losses accruing from funding treatment of LTBI versus similar costs in nutritional interventions for managing undernutrition. Similarly, the impact of diverting resources available for management of the existing active TB control programmes to expanding LTBI treatment also needs to be assessed. In conclusion, a comprehensive LTBI treatment strategy built on the basis of high-quality evidence is the best way forward for resolving the ethical considerations at the heart of LTBI management in the developing world. Keywords: Tuberculosis; India; Latent TB; Medical ethics.

High incidence of radiation pneumonitis in lung cancer patients with chronic silicosis treated with radiotherapy.

Silica is an independent risk factor for lung cancer in addition to smoking. Chronic silicosis is one of the most common and serious occupational diseases associated with poor prognosis. However, the role of radiotherapy is unclear in patients with chronic silicosis. We conducted a retrospective study to evaluate efficacy and safety in lung cancer patients with chronic silicosis, especially focusing on the incidence of radiation pneumonitis (RP). Lung cancer patients with chronic silicosis who had been treated with radiotherapy from 2005 to 2018 in our hospital were enrolled in this retrospective study. RP was graded according to the National Cancer Institute’s Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (CTCAE), version 3.0. Of the 22 patients, ten (45.5%) developed RP ≥2. Two RP-related deaths (9.1%) occurred within 3 months after radiotherapy. Dosimetric factors V5, V10, V15, V20 and mean lung dose (MLD) were significantly higher in patients who had RP >2 (P < 0.05). The median overall survival times in patients with RP ≤2 and RP>2 were 11.5 months and 7.1 months, respectively. Radiotherapy is associated with excessive and fatal pulmonary toxicity in lung cancer patients with chronic silicosis.

Exposure effect to cement dust pollution: a mini review

The aim of this paper is to illuminate the impacts of cement production emissions on the environment. Various research work has shown that countries in sub-Saharan Africa, suffer the most from environmental pollution especially air pollution. One of such contributing factors is the behavioural pattern of workers and traders living close to production plants. Significantly also, data are not available in this region. The need for cement as well as the presence of local raw materials, coupled with the need for local content has resulted in an increase in the number of cement plants. Areas within and around the cement plant are exposed to various air pollutants. These pollutants affect the life and wellbeing of workers, children and people in close communities as well as the flora and fauna. Diseases such as chronic obstructive pulmonary, silicosis, preterm delivery, psychasthenia, endocrine disruption, cancer and infertility are associated with these pollutants. This paper describes the impacts of these pollutants on human’s health and plant’s growth as well as where studies should focus on in the future. Various high impact papers were selected and cogent findings as it affects different classes of people were discussed in this paper. It is recommended that more data collection, pollutant characterization, risk assessment and dispersion analysis should be carried out in developing countries. More research should be undertaken to determine the impact of alternative fuel and the effectiveness of dust control technologies used in various cement plants.

Silica-associated lung disease: An old-world exposure in modern industries.

Despite silica dust exposure being one of the earliest recognized causes of lung disease, Australia, USA, Israel, Turkey and other countries around the world have recently experienced significant outbreaks of silicosis. These outbreaks have occurred in modern industries such as denim jean production, domestic benchtop fabrication and jewellery polishing, where silica has been introduced without recognition and control of the hazard. Much of our understanding of silica-related lung disease is derived from traditional occupations such as mining, whereby workers may develop slowly progressive chronic silicosis. However, workers in modern industries are developing acute and accelerated silicosis over a short period of time, due to high-intensity silica concentrations, oxidative stress from freshly fractured silica and a rapid pro-inflammatory and pro-fibrotic response. Appropriate methods of screening and diagnosis remain unclear in these workers, and a significant proportion may go on to develop respiratory failure and death. There are no current effective treatments for silicosis. For those with near fatal respiratory failure, lung transplantation remains the only option. Strategies to reduce high-intensity silica dust exposure, enforced screening programmes and the identification of new treatments are urgently required.

The birth of modern industrial hygiene and occupational toxicology. A historical reconstruction through the analysis of the contributions of three protagonists

«The birth of modern industrial hygiene and occupational toxicology. A historical reconstruction through the analysis of the contributions of three protagonists».Background:The Clinica del Lavoro of Milan provided several contributions to industrial hygiene and occupational toxicology during the twentieth century.Objectives:Describe the first years of the laboratory of industrial hygiene of Milan through three figures who played a leading role: Enrico Carlo Vigliani, Nicola Zurlo and Gianmario Cavagna.Methods:Scientific literature of the period 1948-1970 was investigated, also interviewing first-hand witnesses of that period.Results:Enrico Vigliani was the first European scholar to understand the importance of a laboratory of industrial hygiene within his institution. Thanks to the support of private (Montecatini) and public (INAIL) institutions he succeeded in creating a laboratory in 1948. Nicola Zurlo, who directed this structure in the first thirty years, conducted innovative studies on chronic mercury intoxication, lead intoxication and silicosis, designing and creating instruments for capturing and analyzing atmospheric dust and protection devices. He conducted analysis of the health effects of organophosphorus insecticides and started to study the air pollution. Zurlo also provided an epistemological and methodological content to the discipline. Gianmario Cavagna, one of the first Italian toxicologists, contributed to the discovery of the origin of fevers caused by the inhalation of metal fumes and to the studies on the pathogenesis of byssinosis, hypothesizing a role of bacterial endotoxins in the genesis of this disease.Conclusions:The contributions provided by these three protagonists to industrial hygiene and occupational toxicology were relevant and made in those years the Clinica del Lavoro of Milan as a landmark, not only in Italy but also abroad.