Silicosis: a Disease with an Active Present

Martínez, Cristina; Prieto, Amador; García, Laura; Quero, Aida; González, Susana; Casán, Pere

doi:10.1016/s1579-2129(10)70022-7

Cited by 48 publications

(36 citation statements)

References 7 publications

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“…The length of employment of workers in our series was lower than the 18.5 years in Kramer et al 18 and the 17 years in Martinez et al 17 This shorter time may be related to a higher intensity of exposure. There is a well-known association between the nature and extent of the biological response to the intensity of exposure and there is evidence that newly fractured silica is more toxic than the ''aged powder'' containing silica.…”

Section: Discussioncontrasting

confidence: 66%

“…16 A number of publications in recent years describe silicosis cases related to the same occupational exposure. Two of these studies present cases in Spain: three in Asturias 9 and six in Vizcaya, 17 in small companies engaged in the mechanization of agglomerates to manufacture quartz countertops in kitchens and bathrooms. The largest series to date corresponds to a recent study conducted in Israel 18 that reported a cluster of 25 cases of silicosis in workers detected after admission into the National Lung Transplantation Program who used the Caesarstone brand agglomerate.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Outbreak of silicosis in Spanish quartz conglomerate workers

Pérez-Alonso

Córdoba-Doña

Millares-Lorenzo

et al. 2013

International Journal of Occupational and Environmental Health

114

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Objectives: To describe the epidemiological and clinical characteristics of an outbreak of occupational silicosis and the associated working conditions. Methods: Cases were defined as men working in the stone cutting, shaping, and finishing industry in the province of Cá diz, diagnosed with silicosis between July 2009 and May 2012, and were identified and diagnosed by the department of pulmonology of the University Hospital of Puerto Real (Cá diz). A census of workplaces using quartz conglomerates was carried out to determine total numbers of potentially exposed workers. A patient telephone survey on occupational exposures and a review of medical records for all participants were conducted. Results: Silicosis was diagnosed in 46 men with a median age of 33 years and a median of 11 years working in the manufacturing of countertops. Of these cases, 91.3% were diagnosed with simple chronic silicosis, with an abnormal high-resolution computerized tomography (HRCT) scan. One patient died during the study period. Employer non-compliance in prevention and control measures was frequently reported, as were environmental and individual protection failures. Conclusions: The use of new construction materials such as quartz conglomerates has increased silicosis incidence due to intensive occupational exposures, in the context of high demand fuelled by the housing boom. This widespread exposure poses a risk if appropriate preventive measures are not undertaken.

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Section: Discussioncontrasting

confidence: 66%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Outbreak of silicosis in Spanish quartz conglomerate workers

Pérez-Alonso

Córdoba-Doña

Millares-Lorenzo

et al. 2013

International Journal of Occupational and Environmental Health

114

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show abstract

“…3 There are currently no known therapies that reduce the mortality rate of people affected with silicosis, but a simple line of defense against the disease is to monitor the amount of silica dust in the air and limit worker exposure. 5 While silicosis is easily preventable in principle, it still persists, 6,7 motivating NIOSH to investigate potential new monitoring approaches including Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, 8,9 and in the current study, LIBS.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Evaluation of Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS) for Measurement of Silica on Filter Samples of Coal Dust

Stipe¹,

Miller

Brown

et al. 2012

Appl Spectrosc

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Airborne silica dust (quartz) is common in coal mines and represents a respiratory hazard that can lead to silicosis, a potentially fatal lung disease. With an eye toward developing a portable monitoring device for rapid analysis of silica dust, laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) was used to quantify quartz in coal dust samples collected on filter media. Pure silica (Min-USil™ 5), Georgia kaolin, and Pittsburgh-4 and Illinois-6 coal dusts were deposited separately and at multiple mass loadings onto 37-mm polyvinylchloride (PVC) filters. LIBS-generated silicon emission was monitored at 288.16 nm, and non-silica contributions to that signal from kaolinite were removed by simultaneously detecting aluminum. Measurements of the four samples were used to calculate limits of detection (LOD) for silicon and aluminum of approximately 0.08 µg/cm 2 and 0.05 µg/cm 2 , respectively (corresponding to 0.16 µg/cm 2 and 0.20 µg/cm 2 for silica and kaolinite, respectively). Relative errors of prediction are around 10%. Results demonstrate that LIBS can dependably quantify silica on filter samples of coal dust and confirm that accurate quantification can be achieved for very lightly loaded samples, which supports the potential application of LIBS for rapid, in-field monitoring.

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“…1,2 In at least some cases from Spain and Israel, workers were exposed in shops operating without dust suppression, and without respiratory protection. 2,3 While the stone industry in the United States has worked to implement dust controls to protect workers against the dangers of silica exposure, 4 studies and OSHA inspections indicate that exposure levels may not be adequately controlled in some stone countertop fabrication worksites in the U.S. 5 This Hazard Alert focuses on countertop industry worker exposures to airborne silica dust, including from quartz in stone. It covers the health effects of breathing silica dust, recommends ways to protect workers, and describes how OSHA and NIOSH can help employers effectively reduce silica dust exposures.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

OSHA/NIOSH hazard alert: worker exposure to silica during countertop manufacturing, finishing and installation.

2015

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Silicosis: a Disease with an Active Present

Cited by 48 publications

References 7 publications

Outbreak of silicosis in Spanish quartz conglomerate workers

Outbreak of silicosis in Spanish quartz conglomerate workers

Evaluation of Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS) for Measurement of Silica on Filter Samples of Coal Dust

OSHA/NIOSH hazard alert: worker exposure to silica during countertop manufacturing, finishing and installation.

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