Artificial stone dust-induced functional and inflammatory abnormalities in exposed workers monitored quantitatively by biometrics

Abstract

The manufacture of kitchen and bath countertops in Israel is based mainly on artificial stone that contains 93% silica as natural quartz, and ∼3500 workers are involved in cutting and processing it. Artificial stone produces high concentrations of silica dust. Exposure to crystalline silica may cause silicosis, an irreversible lung disease. Our aim was to screen exposed workers by quantitative biometric monitoring of functional and inflammatory parameters.68 exposed artificial stone workers were compared to 48 nonexposed individuals (controls). Exposed workers filled in questionnaires, and all participants underwent pulmonary function tests and induced sputum analyses. Silica was quantitated by a Niton XL3 X-ray fluorescence spectrometer.Pulmonary function test results of exposed workers were significantly lower and induced sputa showed significantly higher neutrophilic inflammation compared to controls; both processes were slowed down by the use of protective measures in the workplace. Particle size distribution in induced sputum samples of exposed workers was similar to that of artificial stone dust, which contained aluminium, zirconium and titanium in addition to silica.In conclusion, the quantitation of biometric parameters is useful for monitoring workers exposed to artificial stone in order to avoid deterioration over time.

Artificial stone-associated silicosis: a rapidly emerging occupational lung disease

“…Between 2011 and 2016, seven cases of artificial stone-associated silicosis were identified by respiratory physicians in Queensland,1 Victoria3 and New South Wales 3. All cases were male with a median age of 44 years (range 26–61 years).…”

Stonemasons with silicosis: Preliminary findings and a warning message from Australia

“…The use of artificial stone products for home benchtops is becoming increasingly popular. Artificial stone products have a higher silica content (>90%) when compared to natural alternatives (2–30%) . Due to the high silica content of the material, the potential exposure of respirable crystalline silica (RCS) to stonemasons has increased.…”

“…Artificial stone products have a higher silica content (>90%) when compared to natural alternatives (2-30%). 1 Due to the high silica content of the material, the potential exposure of respirable crystalline silica (RCS) to stonemasons has increased. The first Australian case of silicosis associated with artificial stone was reported in 2015, followed more recently in 2017 by a case series of eight patients.…”

Biometric monitoring in silicosis to detect early disease and monitor lung injury: not quite there

“…The recently published paper by O phir et al . [1] addresses this issue by using biometric monitoring of functional (spirometry and diffusion capacity of the lung for carbon monoxide) and inflammatory parameters (percentage of neutrophils in a sample of induced sputum) in exposed workers. Using novel technology, they also quantitated the amount of silica in induced sputum in a cross-sectional study of 68 workers, 43 of whom already had silicosis, and compared their findings with those in 48 unexposed controls.…”