Healthy-Worker Effect Led to an Overestimation of the Concentration Threshold Value for Respirable Quartz

Möhner, Matthias

doi:10.1097/jom.0000000000000195

Cited by 2 publications

(1 citation statement)

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“…COPD was diagnosed in 25% of individuals. Studies performed on currently employed workers might underestimate silicosis prevalence due to the healthy worker effect (workers with advanced disease leave the workforce due to death or disability) [59,60].…”

Section: Sources Of Respirable Crystalline Silica Exposure and Epidem...mentioning

confidence: 99%

Silica-associated lung disease in developing countries

Dhooria

Sehgal

Agarwal

2022

Current Opinion in Pulmonary Medicine

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Purpose of reviewThere is a considerable burden of silica-associated lung diseases in the developing world. This review summarizes the epidemiology of these diseases, especially silicosis and silico-tuberculosis, mitigative efforts and treatment, especially in the context of developing countries.Recent findingsIn 2017, the highest incidence of silicosis was in China, India and Brazil among the developing countries. The prevalence of silicosis amongst exposed workers may vary from 4 to 55%; there is a risk of underestimation because of the ‘healthy worker effect’. The permissible exposure limit for respirable silica adopted by governments in developing countries remains higher than the proposed 0.025 mg/m3. Silica exposure in informal or unorganized industries is challenging, as it falls outside statutory controls. Recent efforts on regulation and compensation by various governments in developing countries are encouraging but need proper implementation on the ground. Biomarkers such as club cell protein 16 and imaging methods such as computed tomography may offer earlier and easier detection of silicosis. Advanced silicosis remains incurable; novel treatments such as antifibrotics agents may be potentially effective.SummarySilica-associated lung diseases are prevalent in developing countries. Efforts directed at preventing or minimizing exposure to respirable crystalline silica are required for mitigation.

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Section: Sources Of Respirable Crystalline Silica Exposure and Epidem...mentioning

confidence: 99%