Occupational exposure to respirable crystalline silica and chronic non-malignant renal disease: systematic review and meta-analysis

Abstract

BackgroundWhile occupational exposure to respirable silica is known to lead to lung disease, most notably silicosis, its association with chronic kidney disease is unclear.ObjectivesThis review explores the association between occupational exposure to respirable silica and chronic non-malignant renal disease such as glomerulonephritis. The evidence has been collected and compiled. Possible sources of bias are thoroughly discussed.MethodsCohort studies with silica exposure and case–control studies of renal disease were searched in PubMed until January 2015. Two authors independently abstracted data; any disagreement was resolved by consulting a third reviewer. A meta-analysis was performed to evaluate the association to silica exposure.ResultsA total of 23 cohort and four case–control studies were included in the analysis. The meta-analysis of cohort studies yielded elevated overall SMRs for renal disease. Some studies, however, included dose–response analyses, most of which did not show a positive trend. The approaches and results of the case–control studies were very heterogeneous.ConclusionsWhile the studies of cohorts exposed to silica found elevated SMRs for renal disease, no clear evidence of a dose–response relationship emerged. The elevated risk may be attributed to diagnostic and methodological issues. In order to permit a reliable estimation of a possible causal link, exposed cohorts should be monitored for renal disease, as the information from mortality studies is hardly reliable in this field.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1007/s00420-017-1219-x) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Demonstration of Subclinical Early Nephrotoxicity Induced by Occupational Exposure to Silica among Workers in Pottery Industry

“…Several studies point out that the silica-exposed industrial workers can be exposed to highly toxic fresh crystalline silica generated during the processing of pottery products, ceramics, bricks, and tiles, while the general population could be exposed to amorphous aged silica particles with low toxicity. 1,3,28 A very recent interdisciplinary research relates the variable toxicity of silica particles to their surface chemistry. New physico-Early Nephrotoxicity Induced by Occupational Silica Exposure chemical methods can finely characterize and quantify silanols at the surface of silica particles.…”

“…The most common industries a r t i c l e and occupations that have the potential for silica exposure include mining, quarrying, foundry work, glass manufacture, ceramic, pottery, and cement production. 1 Silica dust was suspected to affect the human kidney over 90 years ago. The detected pathologic renal changes are similar to those induced by nephrotoxic heavy metals in the form of dose-related nephropathy that causes degenerative changes in tubular epithelium and interstitial inflammation, fibrous nephrosis, glomerulonephritis, and systemic vasculitis.…”

Fossil Shell Flour in Livestock Production: A Review

“…Nonbeneficial effects of DE: Available information on the non-beneficial effects of DE showed that people who work with crystalline form of diatomaceous earth in large amounts such as miners, quarrymen, smelters, sandblasters, masons, and ceramic and glass manufacturers are likely to have lung problems [132,133]. Due to their very small density, Silica nanoparticles can be readily evaporated into air, and can be inhaled.…”

Particulate Matter (Fine Particle) and Urologic Diseases

“…Another environmental risk to the kidneys is crystalline silica, which is known to be related to chronic renal failure. Although the toxic effect of crystalline silica on the kidneys is not yet understood, many studies have investigated chronic kidney disease in exposed populations [ 40 ].…”

“…Crystalline silica dust has been studied in the context of several occupational and environmental disorders, such as lung cancer, scleroderma, systemic lupus erythematosus, rheumatoid arthritis, or antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody-associated vasculitis. Möhner et al [ 40 ] conducted a meta-analysis exploring the association between respirable crystalline silica and nonmalignant renal disease. A total of 23 cohort and 4 case-control studies were included in the analysis.…”