Long-term Exposure to Crystalline Silica and Risk of Heart Disease Mortality

Abstract

Low-level crystalline silica exposure was associated with increased mortality from heart disease, including pulmonary heart disease and ischemic heart disease, whereas high-level exposure mainly increased mortality from pulmonary heart disease. Current permissible exposure limits for crystalline silica in many countries may be insufficient to protect people from deaths due to heart disease.

Association of Silica Dust Exposure and Cigarette Smoking With Mortality Among Mine and Pottery Workers in China

“…Exposure-response analyses were conducted for silica dust exposure and risk of mortality, and age was used as the time variable to define the risk sets for mortality. 7,18 Cox proportional hazards models were used to calculate hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% CIs for cumulative dust exposure (time-dependent) and the risk of selected causes of death, with adjustment for sex, year of hire (1950 or earlier, 1951-1960, 1961-1970, and 1971 or later), age at hire (continuous), type of facility (tungsten mine, iron and/or copper mine, tin mine, and pottery factory), and smoking history (pack-years). Cumulative dust exposure was categorized into 4 groups based on the percentiles from the exposure distribution (the final cumulative dust exposure Downloaded From: https://jamanetwork.com/ on 08/11/2020 between cumulative dust exposure and mortality by using restricted cubic splines with 4 knots at the 5th, 35th, 65th, and 95th percentiles of the distribution.…”

Respiratory Diseases and Coronary Artery Diseases

“…Lungs are especially at risk of occupational lung disease in view of its constant exposure. Pneumoconiosis like coal work pneumoconiosis [76], silicosis [77], asbestosis [78], particulate matter from air pollution, diesel exhaust [79] and agricultural and livestock exposures [80]. Asbestosis may pose a clinical challenge as some patients may have angina chest pain [81] (Fig 6).…”

Article Commentary: The Cold Dusty Harmattan: A Season of Anguish for Cardiologists and Patients

“…Atmospheric dust pollution in the Harmattan varies in quantum from day to day. However, this does not constitute a respite for the cardiorespiratory system because low-level silica exposure (under the acceptable limit) is still associated with increased risk of mortality from pulmonary and ischemic heart diseases 33. In areas with high ambient atmospheric pollution (which may originate from industry and construction sources), surges in dust content brought about by dust worsen the dust’s effect on health 4.…”