Silicosis In Workers Research Articles

Sculpting - A Modern Menace.

Sculpting is a common occupation in India. However, there have been no studies from India on sculpting-related silicosis. The aims of this study were to evaluate- 1. awareness of disease related to sculpting. 2. Clinical, radiological, and physiological parameters in "sculpting workers" suffering from silicosis. This was a retrospective evaluation of data collected during compensation visits for silicosis in workers of the sculpting industries. The data were collected between January 2021 to April 2023. A total of 114 patients were evaluated. All patients underwent clinical evaluation including awareness about the disease, chest radiography, high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) scan of the chest, and spirometry. The majority of patients (109) (95%) did not use any personal protective equipment while at work and did not have any awareness regarding preventive measures. On chest radiography, small opacities (rounded or irregular) and large opacities were seen in 84 (73.7%) and 26 (22.8%) patients, respectively. The size of large opacities was significantly proportionate with duration of job (P = 0.019). HRCT chest was more sensitive compared to chest radiographs. 94 (82.4%) patients were having abnormal spirometric findings. The benefits of prevention of silica dust exposure and patient education considerably outweigh the benefits of early detection and treatment of silicosis, as there was an increase in the size of lesions with increasing duration of exposure. There should be a national health program on silicosis to protect worker's health.

Active Surveillance of Engineered Stone Workers Facilitates Early Identification of Silicosis: A Discussion of Surveillance of Occupational Lung Diseases.

Silicosis in workers exposed to respirable crystalline silica while fabricating engineered stone products is an emerging respiratory health issue. We describe silicosis in engineered stone workers in California and examine clinical features by the source of identification. Cases were identified passively using hospital-based patient discharge data or actively through outreach and medical testing following enforcement investigation. Outcomes were examined based on the source of case identification. We identified 18 cases diagnosed between 2006 and 2020. Cases identified passively compared to other identification methods were associated with lower percent predicted forced vital capacity (FVC) (P ≤ .01), forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1) (P ≤ .01), and diffusing capacity of the lungs for carbon monoxide (DLCO) (P < .01) at the time of diagnosis and were more likely to be identified following death or lung transplant (P = .01). Our experience demonstrates delays in diagnosis and case identification when relying on passive surveillance methods. Enhanced public health surveillance systems can improve the early detection of occupational lung disease and inform future prevention policies.

The Chronic Battle to Prevent Silicosis in Workers' Lungs: A Passive Surveillance Study

Silicosis in Tamil Nadu: A passive surveillance study. Inhaling crystalline silica dust leads to the interstitial lung disease known as silicosis. Although though it is one of the oldest occupational diseases, it still contributes to morbidity and mortality globally. The International Project on the Global Elimination of Silicosis, which identifies occupational groups at risk, was created by the World Health Organization and the International Labour Organization (WHO/ILO), who are aware of the current issue. We present three cases of silicosis in young construction workers who were handling artificial silica conglomerates, which exposed them to high quantities of silica. This study's primary goals include locating new risk factors, emphasizing the risks associated with substance use in the absence of precautions, and emphasizing the value of employment history in preventing underdiagnosis of this condition.

Genetic polymorphisms and their effects on the severity of silicosis in workers exposed to silica in Brazil.

Silicosis is a pneumoconiosis characterized by fibrosis of the lung parenchyma caused by inhalation of silica particles. Genetic factors might play a role in the severity silicosis. We sought to evaluate the influence of polymorphisms in the ACE, FAS, FASLG, NOS2, IL1RN, FAM13A, TGFB1, and TNF genes on the severity of silicosis. Nine polymorphisms were genotyped by PCR in a sample of 143 patients with silicosis in the state of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Fifty-seven patients (40%) were classified as having simple silicosis and 86 (60%) were classified as having complicated silicosis. The TT genotype of rs1800469 in the TGFB1 gene showed a protective effect for complicated silicosis (OR = 0.35; 95% CI, 0.14-0.92; p = 0.028) when compared with the other two genotypes (CC+CT). The polymorphic T allele of rs763110 in the FASLG gene (OR = 0.56; 95% CI, 0.31-0.99; p = 0.047), as well as a dominant model for the T allele (TT+CT: OR = 0.37; 95% CI, 0.15-0.96; p = 0.037), also showed a protective effect. When patients with simple silicosis despite having been exposed to silica for a longer time (> 44,229 hours) were compared with patients with complicated silicosis despite having been exposed to silica for a shorter time, the T allele of rs763110 in the FASLG gene (OR = 0.20; 95% CI, 0.08-0.48; p < 0.0001), as well as dominant and recessive models (OR = 0.06; 95% CI, 0.00-0.49; p = 0.01 and OR = 0.22; 95% CI, 0.06-0.77; p = 0.014, respectively), showed a protective effect against the severity of silicosis. It appears that rs1800469 polymorphisms in the TGFB1 gene and rs763110 polymorphisms in the FASLG gene are involved in the severity of silicosis. Given the lack of studies relating genetic polymorphisms to the severity of silicosis, these results should be replicated in other populations.

Outbreak of Silicosis in Workers Producing Artificial Stone Skirting Boards: A Novel Application of Silica-Based Composites

Outbreak of Silicosis in Workers Producing Artificial Stone Skirting Boards: A Novel Application of Silica-Based Composites

Outbreak of silicosis in workers producing silica-based artificial kerbstones

Outbreak of silicosis in workers producing silica-based artificial kerbstones

Association between Crystalline Silica Dust Exposure and Silicosis Development in Artificial Stone Workers.

Occupational exposure to respirable crystalline silica (SiO2) is one of the most common and serious risks because of the health consequences for the workers involved. Silicosis is a progressive, irreversible, and incurable fibrotic lung disease caused by the inhalation of respirable crystalline silica dust. A cross-sectional epidemiological study was carried out to assess the occupational risk factors that may contribute to the onset of silicosis in workers carrying out work activities with the inhalation of silica compact dust. The study population consisted of 311 artificial stone workers from the province of Almeria (southeast of Spain). Among them, 64 were previously diagnosed with silicosis and the rest of the participants (n = 247 workers) were not diagnosed with such a disease. The workers showing a greater risk of developing silicosis were those who installed kitchen worktops at consumers’ homes, as they did not use face-masks or were not provided with personal protective equipment (PPE) by their business. The results of this study provide support for the evidence indicating that silicosis is a major emerging health concern for workers in the artificial stone sector. Exposure to crystalline silica dust thus can influence the development of silicosis in those cases where individual and collective protection measures are not used or adequately applied.

Evaluation of Occupational Exposure to Silica Dust in Mining Workers in Eastern Iran

Background and Objective: Silica dust is present in almost all mining operations and can cause various health problems such as silicosis in workers. The present study aimed to determine the total and respirable dust levels and the crystalline silica content of the soil in the breathing zone of workers in Iranian mines. Methods: This cross-sectional study was carried out in 2016-2017 on six Iranian silica mines. Dust sampling was performed according to the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) method No. 0600. The samples were collected from the respiratory zone of workers at 114 stations in different units of the mines. The silica content was measured using the standard NIOSH method No. 7601. The crystalline silica content in bulk samples collected from the soil was determined by using the X-Ray Diffraction (XRD) spectroscopy method. Results: The highest concentration of crystalline silica dust was 2.81±0.49 mg/m3 and was observed in the air of crushing unit of mine no. 6, and the lowest was 0.08±0.208 mg/m3 and was measured in the management/administration unit of mine no.1. The mean silica content in the solid surface of the mines was 91%. The total and respirable dust levels in all units of the mines except management/administration were higher than the permissible limit. The free silica content of all collected samples was substantially higher than the permissible limits, and in some cases, it was as much as 100 times above the standard level, which reflects the extremely high risk of working in these mines. Conclusion: Exposure of workers with crystalline silica dust in all units was higher than the standard recommended limits. It is imperative to adopt immediate measures based on technical, managerial, and personal protection solutions to reduce the exposure of workers to silica.

Occupational lung diseases in Australia.

Occupational exposures are an important determinant of respiratory health. International estimates note that about 15% of adult-onset asthma, 15% of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and 10-30% of lung cancer may be attributable to hazardous occupational exposures. One-quarter of working asthmatics either have had their asthma caused by work or adversely affected by workplace conditions. Recently, cases of historical occupational lung diseases have been noted to occur with new exposures, such as cases of silicosis in workers fabricating kitchen benchtops from artificial stone products. Identification of an occupational cause of a lung disease can be difficult and requires maintaining a high index of suspicion. When an occupational lung disease is identified, this may facilitate a cure and help to protect coworkers. Currently, very little information is collected regarding actual cases of occupational lung diseases in Australia. Most assumptions about many occupational lung diseases are based on extrapolation from overseas data. This lack of information is a major impediment to development of targeted interventions and timely identification of new hazardous exposures. All employers, governments and health care providers in Australia have a responsibility to ensure that the highest possible standards are in place to protect workers' respiratory health.

Six cases of silicosis: implications for health surveillance of stonemasons.

Silicosis is one of the oldest occupational lung diseases, but it continues to cause significant morbidity and mortality worldwide. To report cases of silicosis presenting to two specialist respiratory clinics. A retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data of cases of silicosis in workers referred to specialist respiratory clinics. Over the course of 6 years, six cases were identified. The patients were all male with an age range between 24 and 39 years. The duration of silica exposure ranged between 7 and 20 years (mean 13 years). Four cases were entirely asymptomatic at presentation, and two cases described minimal shortness of breath on exertion. Pulmonary function tests were normal in three cases, and a mild restrictive ventilatory defect was documented in the other cases. All had a low apparent predicted probability of pneumoconiosis based on health questionnaires, spirometry and duration of silica exposure. The initial chest X-ray was abnormal in all six cases with radiological evidence of silicosis (International Labour Office profusion category ≥1/1) on imaging, and all had evidence of silicosis on high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT). Three patients had already progressed to progressive massive fibrosis on HRCT scanning at the time of referral to specialist respiratory services. The appearances of these six cases of silicosis in young, asymptomatic construction workers emphasizes the importance of enforcing effective exposure control and comprehensive surveillance programmes. Our observations highlight the importance of having a low threshold for early radiological screening to promote early and effective detection of this disease.

MDCT Findings of Denim-Sandblasting-Induced Silicosis: a cross-sectional study

BackgroundDenim sandblasting is as a novel cause of silicosis in Turkey, with reports of a recent increase in cases and fatal outcomes. We aimed to describe the radiological features of patients exposed to silica during denim sandblasting and define factors related to the development of silicosis.MethodsSixty consecutive men with a history of exposure to silica during denim sandblasting were recruited. All CT examinations were performed using a 64-row multi-detector CT (MDCT). The nodules were qualitatively and semi-quantitatively analyzed by grading nodular profusion (NP) on CT images.ResultsSilicosis was diagnosed radiologically in 73.3% of patients (44 of 60). The latency period (the time between initial exposure and radiological imaging) and duration of silica exposure was longer in patients diagnosed with silicosis than in those without silicosis (p < 0.05). Nodules were present in all cases with centrilobular type as the commonest (63.6%). All cases of silicosis were clinically classified as accelerated and 11.4% had progressive massive fibrosis (PMF). Mild NP lesions were the most prevalent in all six zones of the lung. The NP score was significantly correlated with the duration of silica exposure, the latency period, presence of PMF, and pleural thickening. Enlarged lymphadenopathy was present in 45.5% of patients.ConclusionsThe duration of exposure and the latency period are important for development of silicosis in denim sandblasters. MDCT is a useful tool in detecting findings of silicosis in workers who has silica exposure.

Silicosis in Automobile Foundry Workers: A 29-Year Cohort Study

The purposes were to determine the relationship between silicosis among foundry workers and their cumulative exposure to silica dust, and to establish a regression model to predict the risk for developing silicosis by a given length of employment and air concentrations of silica at worksites. A 29-year cohort study was conducted, including all those employed for more than one year during January 1, 1980 to December 31, 1996 and all members of the cohort were followed-up to December 31, 2008. In total, 2009 workers of an automobile foundry in Shiyan, Hubei province were recruited in the study, 1300 at eight worksites including sand preparation, cast shakeout, and finishing, melting, moulding, core-making, overhead crane operation and pouring as exposed group, and the other 709 auxiliary workers at the same factory, such as electricians, inspectors, fitters, and so on, as control group. Person-years of observation were calculated by persons observed and years followed-up for each of them. Person-year incidence of silicosis and its relative risk (RR) or odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) among the workers were estimated, adjusted for relevant factors with logistic regression model using SPSS version 15.0 software. Totally, 2009 workers were followed-up for 37 151 person-years and 48 cases of silicosis were found, with an overall incidence of 1.34 per thousand, 2.02 per thousand in exposed group, and 0.15 per thousand in control one. Risk of silicosis was significantly higher in the exposed group than that in the control one (RR = 13.13, 95% CI 3.18-54.13), higher in men than that in women (RR = 13.92, 95% CI 1.92-100.93). Risks of silicosis varied by job, highest in those exposed to cast shakeout and finishing (RR = 28.14, 95% CI 6.43-123.11), followed by those exposed to pouring (RR = 22.23, 95% CI 5.01-98.55) in the foundry. Average length of employment at onset of silicosis was 25.94 years, and silicosis incidence increased with length of employment. Average age at onset of silicosis was 47.83 years old. The risk of silicosis in workers with pulmonary tuberculosis was 2.57 folds as those without it (P < 0.01). Ten deaths were recorded in those with silicosis, with a case-fatality rate of 20.83 percent three of them died of lung cancer, three of liver cancer, two of ischemic heart disease, and two of other diseases as their immediate causes of death. Incidence of silicosis in foundry workers positively correlated with their cumulative silica exposure (OR = 3.00, 95% CI 2.34-3.83). Risks of silicosis increased by 4.38 folds with an increase of 1 mg/m3-year of cumulative silica exposure, and by 3.79 folds with smoking, respectively, adjusted for alcohol drinking and age. Based on a logistic regression model fitted, incidence of silicosis is expected to be 44.6 per thousand for those with daily exposure to silica of 4.18 mg/m3 in average for 30 years, and if incidence of silicosis is expected to be less than 1 per thousand, daily exposure to silica should be controlled below 0.2 mg/m3 for those with 20 years of employment, or below 0.1 mg/m3 for those with 30 or 40 years of silica exposure. At present, foundry workers in China still face high risk of developing silicosis. For lowering occurrence of silicosis in exposed workers, it seems necessary that current occupational exposure limits for silica at worksites in China should be reexamined and silica dust control measures be strengthened.

Accelerated silicosis in workers exposed to agate dust in Guangzhou, China.

An investigation of a small private agate mill was prompted by an agate worker who presented with silicosis in Guangzhou, China, in December 1998. The work processes and records of dust measurements of the mill were examined. The mean total dust concentrations ranged from 3.0 to 9.9 mg/m3; 86-88% of the particles' diameter was smaller than 5.0 microm. Free SiO2 content from agate samples was measured. Occupational history was obtained and X-ray chest and lung function was carried out. Free SiO2 content of the agate was 90.5%. Thirty-two men involved in processing agate stone were examined. The mean ( +/- SD) age was 29.8 ( +/- 4.9) years and the mean (+/- SD) duration of exposure was 3.5 (+/- 1.7) years. Fifteen cases (47%) were diagnosed as accelerated silicosis. Up to September 1999, three had died from respiratory failure and five were in critical condition. Silicosis is an important problem in primitive work environments.

Silicosis among gemstone workers in South Africa: Tiger's‐eye pneumoconiosis

Six cases of silicosis in workers involved in the processing of semiprecious gem stones have been seen in our clinic since 1976. They had been employed as stone sculptors in lapidaries where they processed tiger's-eye, rose quartz, amethyst, quartz crystal, and a variety of other locally occurring semiprecious stones. In five of the cases, exposure was in small and poorly regulated lapidaries without specific dust control measures. The sixth was detected during the course of a health and hygiene survey (including dust sampling) that was conducted in one of two lapidaries still operating in our area. Progressive massive fibrosis (PMF) or accelerated silicosis was noted in four of the six cases, three of whom had progression of their disease after cessation of exposure. With the development of PMF, the initial restrictive pulmonary function abnormalities were followed by steadily worsening airflow obstruction. Lung biopsies confirmed silicosis in three cases. Tuberculosis was confirmed in two cases and suspected and treated in a third. Workmen's Compensation was awarded in five cases. The survey confirmed that in semiprecious gem stone processing, the risk of silicosis appears to be confined to stone sculptors. Tried and proven techniques of general and local exhaust ventilation combined with water or oil to control dust at source were capable of effectively reducing dust emission to acceptable levels.

Silicosis in the 1980's.

At the request of the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA), the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) recently investigated the health of workers at two silica flour mills. Both mills have a long history of failure to maintain workplace concentrations of dust containing free silica below the MSHA exposure standard. Thirty-seven percent of sixty-one workers and ex-workers with one or more years of silica dust exposure had chest radiographic evidence of silicosis. Because of the high prevalence of silicosis in workers at these two silica flour producers, MSHA silica dust measurements were reviewed for twenty-five other active U.S. silica flour producers. Eighty-nine percent of the work force in these 27 silica flour producers are employed at workplaces where more than twenty-five percent of the dust samples reviewed were above the exposure standard. Fifty-three percent of all samples were above the MSHA standard. No significant decline in silica dust levels occurred during the period (1974-1979) covered by the data supplied by MSHA. Based on the NIOSH study and MSHA data, it is apparent that the risk of silicosis is very high among workers in this industry. Prevention of this disease will require a concerted effort of government enforcement agencies, workers and management.

Silicosis in Workers Dealing with Tonoko: Case Reports and Analyses of Tonoko

We found three cases of pneumoconiosis among those workers who had been dealing with tonoko (a mineral powder) for more than ten years at a shop making wooden furniture in Sendai, Japan. In the factory the workers were exposed to tonoko dust and had been inhaling it for a long time. Until now, this disease has not been found in employees of furniture factories; and, furthermore, tonoko has not been regarded as a harmful material. Tonoko is a very fine mineral powder used widely in Japan for filling the grains of surfaces of wooden products. The three workers had scanty clinical symptoms; however, their chest x-ray films revealed disseminated nodulations throughout both pulmonary fields. One of the workers suffered from the complication of active pulmonary tuberculosis. Some of the analyses revealed that tonoko contained about 50% quartz. Accordingly, the disease is strongly suspected to be a sort of silicosis caused by inhalation of tonoko dust.