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International Journal of Environmental... May 2024The lifetime risk of silicosis associated with low-level occupational exposure to respirable crystalline silica remains unclear because most previous radiographic...
The lifetime risk of silicosis associated with low-level occupational exposure to respirable crystalline silica remains unclear because most previous radiographic studies included workers with varying exposure concentrations and durations. This study assessed the prevalence of silicosis after lengthy exposure to respirable crystalline silica at levels ≤ 0.10 mg/m. Vermont granite workers employed any time during 1979-1987 were traced and chest radiographs were obtained for 356 who were alive in 2017 and residing in Vermont. Work history, smoking habits and respiratory symptoms were obtained by interview, and exposure was estimated using a previously developed job-exposure matrix. Associations between radiographic findings, exposure, and respiratory symptoms were assessed by ANOVA, chi-square tests and binary regression. Fourteen workers (3.9%) had radiographic evidence of silicosis, and all had been employed ≥30 years. They were more likely to have been stone cutters or carvers and their average exposure concentrations and cumulative exposures to respirable crystalline silica were significantly higher than workers with similar durations of employment and no classifiable parenchymal abnormalities. This provides direct evidence that workers with long-term exposure to low-level respirable crystalline silica (≤0.10 mg/m) are at risk of developing silicosis.
Topics: Humans; Silicon Dioxide; Silicosis; Occupational Exposure; Male; Vermont; Middle Aged; Adult; Female; Follow-Up Studies; Air Pollutants, Occupational; Prevalence; Inhalation Exposure; Aged
PubMed: 38791822
DOI: 10.3390/ijerph21050608 -
Annals of the American Thoracic Society Sep 2022
Topics: Anthracosilicosis; Coal; Coal Mining; Humans; Pneumoconiosis; Silicon Dioxide
PubMed: 36048122
DOI: 10.1513/AnnalsATS.202206-528ED -
International Journal of Biological... 2023Silicosis is a common and ultimately fatal occupational disease, yet the limited therapeutic option remains the major clinical challenge. Apelin, an endogenous ligand of...
Silicosis is a common and ultimately fatal occupational disease, yet the limited therapeutic option remains the major clinical challenge. Apelin, an endogenous ligand of the G-protein-coupled receptor (APJ), is abundantly expressed in diverse organs. The apelin-APJ axis helps to control pathological and physiological processes in lung. The role of apelin in the pathological process and its possible therapeutic effects on silicosis have not been elucidated. In this study, we found that lung expression and circulating levels of apelin were markedly decreased in silicosis patients and silica-induced fibrotic mice and associated with the severity. Furthermore, data demonstrated that pre-treatment from day 3 and post-treatment from day 15 with apelin could both alleviate silica-induced pulmonary fibrosis in mice. Besides, apelin inhibited pulmonary fibroblast activation via transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF-β1) signaling. Our study suggested that apelin could prevent and reverse silica-induced pulmonary fibrosis by inhibiting the fibroblast activation through TGF-β1 signaling pathway, thus providing a new potential therapeutic strategy for silicosis and other pulmonary fibrosis.
Topics: Animals; Mice; Apelin; Fibroblasts; Pulmonary Fibrosis; Silicon Dioxide; Silicosis; Transforming Growth Factor beta1
PubMed: 37705751
DOI: 10.7150/ijbs.81436 -
Jornal Brasileiro de Pneumologia :... 2016
Topics: Adult; Anthracosis; Diagnosis, Differential; Humans; Lung; Male; Occupational Diseases; Sarcoidosis, Pulmonary; Silicosis; Tomography, X-Ray Computed
PubMed: 27832228
DOI: 10.1590/S1806-37562016000000161 -
Journal of Occupational Medicine and... Jul 2023Silicosis has been one of the most serious occupational public health problems worldwide for many decades. The global burden of silicosis is largely unknown, although it... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Silicosis has been one of the most serious occupational public health problems worldwide for many decades. The global burden of silicosis is largely unknown, although it is thought to be more prevalent in low and medium-income countries. Individual studies among workers exposed to silica dust in various industries, however, reveal a high prevalence of silicosis in India. This paper is an updated review of the novel challenges and opportunities for silicosis prevention and control in India.
MAIN BODY
The unregulated informal sector employs workers on contractual appointment thereby insulating the employers from legislative provisions. Due to a lack of awareness of the serious health risks and low-income levels, symptomatic workers tend to disregard the symptoms and continue working in dusty environments. To prevent any future dust exposure, the workers must be moved to an alternative job in the same factory where they will not be exposed to silica dust. Government regulatory bodies, on the other hand, must guarantee that factory owners relocate workers to another vocation as soon as they exhibit signs of silicosis. Technological advances such as artificial intelligence and machine learning might assist industries in implementing effective and cost-saving dust control measures. A surveillance system needs to be established for the early detection and tracking of all patients with silicosis. A pneumoconiosis elimination program encompassing health promotion, personal protection, diagnostic criteria, preventive measures, symptomatic management, prevention of silica dust exposure, treatment, and rehabilitation is felt important for wider adoption.
CONCLUSION
Silica dust exposure and its consequences are fully preventable, with the benefits of prevention considerably outweighing the benefits of treating patients with silicosis. A comprehensive national health program on silicosis within the public health system would strengthen surveillance, notification, and management of workers exposed to silica dust in India.
PubMed: 37434229
DOI: 10.1186/s12995-023-00379-1 -
PLOS Global Public Health 2023An estimated 44 million artisanal and small-scale miners (ASM), largely based in developing economies, face significant occupational risks for respiratory diseases which...
An estimated 44 million artisanal and small-scale miners (ASM), largely based in developing economies, face significant occupational risks for respiratory diseases which have not been reviewed. We therefore aimed to review studies that describe silicosis and tuberculosis prevalence and respirable crystalline silica (RCS) exposures among ASM and use background evidence to better understand the relationship between exposures and disease outcomes. We searched PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus and Embase for studies published before the 24th March 2023. Our primary outcome of interest was silicosis or tuberculosis among ASM. Secondary outcomes included measurements of respirable dust or silica, spirometry and prevalence of respiratory symptoms. A systematic review and narrative synthesis was performed and risk of bias assessed using the Joanna Briggs Prevalence Critical Appraisal Tool. Logistic and Poisson regression models with predefined parameters were used to estimate silicosis prevalence and tuberculosis incidence at different distributions of cumulative silica exposure. We identified 18 eligible studies that included 29,562 miners from 13 distinct populations in 10 countries. Silicosis prevalence ranged from 11 to 37%, despite four of five studies reporting an average median duration of mining of <6 years. Tuberculosis prevalence was high; microbiologically confirmed disease ranged from 1.8 to 6.1% and clinical disease 3.0 to 17%. Average RCS intensity was very high (range 0.19-89.5 mg/m3) and respiratory symptoms were common. Our modelling demonstrated decreases in cumulative RCS are associated with reductions in silicosis and tuberculosis, with greater reductions at higher mean exposures. Despite potential selection and measurement bias, prevalence of silicosis and tuberculosis were high in the studies identified in this review. Our modelling demonstrated the greatest respiratory health benefits of reducing RCS are in those with highest exposures. ASM face a high occupational respiratory disease burden which can be reduced by low-cost and effective reductions in RCS.
PubMed: 37733799
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgph.0002085 -
Annals of Medicine and Surgery (2012) Dec 2023Inhalation of crystalline silica-rich dust particles can result in the deadly occupational lung disorder called silicosis. The risk of contracting tuberculosis (TB) and... (Review)
Review
Inhalation of crystalline silica-rich dust particles can result in the deadly occupational lung disorder called silicosis. The risk of contracting tuberculosis (TB) and the potential for lung cancer increase due to silicosis. This review article aims to bring to light the state of silicosis and TB scenario in the world and India for evaluating hurdles in the present and future to achieve the elimination road map and assess these conditions in the backdrop of the COVID-19 pandemic. A patient with silicosis has a 2.8-2.9 times higher risk of developing pulmonary TB and 3.7 times that of extrapulmonary TB. Incidences of missed cases when TB was misdiagnosed with silicosis due to indifferent clinical manifestations of the two in the initial stages are not uncommon. The duration of silica exposure and silicosis severity are directly related to the propensity to develop TB. As per a study, an average gap of 7.6 years has been noticed in a South African population for silico-tuberculosis to develop post-silicosis. In a study done on mine workers at Jodhpur, Rajasthan, it was seen that there is no definitive relation between patients with silicosis and the possibility of having COVID-19. There is a significant need to integrate the Silicosis control program with the TB elimination program for the government. A few steps can include assessing the workplaces, periodic monitoring of the workers' health, active case surveillance, identification of hotspots, and introducing reforms to curb the spread of dust and particulate matter from industrialised areas be taken in this regard.
PubMed: 38098595
DOI: 10.1097/MS9.0000000000001471 -
Journal of Cellular and Molecular... Jan 2022Inhalation of crystalline silica causes silicosis, the most common and serious occupational disease, which is characterized by progressive lung inflammation and...
Inhalation of crystalline silica causes silicosis, the most common and serious occupational disease, which is characterized by progressive lung inflammation and fibrosis. Recent studies revealed the anti-inflammatory and anti-fibrosis role of Caveolin-1 (Cav-1) in lung, but this role in silicosis has not been investigated. Thus, this study evaluated Cav-1 regulatory effects in silicosis. It was found that Cav-1 levels were significantly reduced in the lung from silicosis patients and silicotic mice. The silicosis models were established in C57BL/6 (wild-type) and Cav-1 deficiency (Cav-1 ) mice, and Cav-1 mice displayed wider alveolar septa, increased collagen deposition and more silicotic nodules. The mice peritoneal-derived macrophages were used to explore the role of Cav-1 in silica-induced inflammation, which plays a central role in mechanism of silicosis. Cav-1 inhibited silica-induced infiltration of inflammatory cells and secretion of inflammatory factors in vitro and in vivo, partly by downregulating NF-κB pathway. Additionally, silica uptake and expression of 4-hydroxynonenal in silicotic mice were observed, and it was found that Cav-1 absence triggered excessive silica deposition, causing a stronger oxidative stress response. These findings demonstrate the protective effects of Cav-1 in silica-induced lung injury, suggesting its potential therapeutic value in silicosis.
Topics: Animals; Caveolin 1; Disease Models, Animal; Fibrosis; Humans; Inflammation; Lung; Mice; Mice, Inbred C57BL; Pulmonary Fibrosis; Silicon Dioxide; Silicosis
PubMed: 34889029
DOI: 10.1111/jcmm.17045 -
International Journal of Environmental... Jul 2021Pneumoconiosis, or occupational lung disease, is one of the world's most prevalent work-related diseases. Silicosis, a type of pneumoconiosis, is caused by inhaling... (Review)
Review
Pneumoconiosis, or occupational lung disease, is one of the world's most prevalent work-related diseases. Silicosis, a type of pneumoconiosis, is caused by inhaling respirable crystalline silica (RCS) dust. Although silicosis can be fatal, it is completely preventable. Hundreds of thousands of workers globally are at risk of being exposed to RCS at the workplace from various activities in many industries. Currently, in Australia and internationally, there are a range of methods used for the respiratory surveillance of workers exposed to RCS. These methods include health and exposure questionnaires, spirometry, chest X-rays, and HRCT. However, these methods predominantly do not detect the disease until it has significantly progressed. For this reason, there is a growing body of research investigating early detection methods for silicosis, particularly biomarkers. This literature review summarises the research to date on early detection methods for silicosis and makes recommendations for future work in this area. Findings from this review conclude that there is a critical need for an early detection method for silicosis, however, further laboratory- and field-based research is required.
Topics: Australia; Dust; Humans; Occupational Exposure; Pneumoconiosis; Silicon Dioxide; Silicosis
PubMed: 34360414
DOI: 10.3390/ijerph18158123 -
European Respiratory Review : An... Jan 2024Molecular pathways found to be important in pulmonary fibrosis are also involved in cancer pathogenesis, suggesting common pathways in the development of pulmonary... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
BACKGROUND
Molecular pathways found to be important in pulmonary fibrosis are also involved in cancer pathogenesis, suggesting common pathways in the development of pulmonary fibrosis and lung cancer.
RESEARCH QUESTION
Is pulmonary fibrosis from exposure to occupational carcinogens an independent risk factor for lung cancer?
STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS
A comprehensive search of PubMed, Embase, Web of Science and Cochrane databases with over 100 search terms regarding occupational hazards causing pulmonary fibrosis was conducted. After screening and extraction, quality of evidence and eligibility criteria for meta-analysis were assessed. Meta-analysis was performed using a random-effects model.
RESULTS
52 studies were identified for systematic review. Meta-analysis of subgroups identified silicosis as a risk factor for lung cancer when investigating odds ratios for silicosis in autopsy studies (OR 1.47, 95% CI 1.13-1.90) and for lung cancer mortality in patients with silicosis (OR 3.21, 95% CI 2.67-3.87). Only considering studies with an adjustment for smoking as a confounder identified a significant increase in lung cancer risk (OR 1.58, 95% CI 1.34-1.87). However, due to a lack of studies including cumulative exposure, no adjustments could be included. In a qualitative review, no definitive conclusion could be reached for asbestosis and silicosis as independent risk factors for lung cancer, partly because the studies did not take cumulative exposure into account.
INTERPRETATION
This systematic review confirms the current knowledge regarding asbestosis and silicosis, indicating a higher risk of lung cancer in exposed individuals compared to exposed workers without fibrosis. These individuals should be monitored for lung cancer, especially when asbestosis or silicosis is present.
Topics: Humans; Silicon Dioxide; Lung Neoplasms; Pulmonary Fibrosis; Asbestosis; Silicosis; Occupational Exposure
PubMed: 38355151
DOI: 10.1183/16000617.0224-2023