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Liu K, Sun X, Hu WJ, Mei LY, Zhang HD, Su SB, Ning K, Nie YF, Qiu LP, Xia Y, Han L, Zhi Q, Shi CB, Wang G, Wen W, Gao JQ, Yu B, Wang X, Dong YW, Kang N, Han F, Bian HY, Chen YQ, Ye M. Occupational Exposure to Silica Dust and Silicosis Risk in Chinese Noncoal Mines: Qualitative and Quantitative Risk Assessment. JMIR Public Health Surveill 2024; 10:e56283. [PMID: 39222341 DOI: 10.2196/56283] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2024] [Revised: 05/14/2024] [Accepted: 07/04/2024] [Indexed: 09/04/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Despite increasing awareness, silica dust-induced silicosis still contributes to the huge disease burden in China. Worryingly, recent silica dust exposure levels and silicosis risk in Chinese noncoal mines remain unclear. OBJECTIVE We aimed to determine recent silica dust exposure levels and assess the risk of silicosis in Chinese noncoal mines. METHODS Between May and December 2020, we conducted a retrospective cohort study on 3 noncoal mines and 1 public hospital to establish, using multivariable Cox regression analyses, prediction formulas of the silicosis cumulative hazard ratio (H) and incidence (I) and a cross-sectional study on 155 noncoal mines in 10 Chinese provinces to determine the prevalence of silica dust exposure (PDE), free silica content, and total dust and respirable dust concentrations. The qualitative risk of silicosis was assessed using the International Mining and Metals Commission's risk-rating table and the occupational hazard risk index; the quantitative risk was assessed using prediction formulas. RESULTS Kaplan-Meier survival analysis revealed significant differences in the silicosis probability between silica dust-exposed male and female miners (log-rank test χ21=7.52, P=.01). A total of 126 noncoal mines, with 29,835 miners and 4623 dust samples, were included; 13,037 (43.7%) miners were exposed to silica dust, of which 12,952 (99.3%) were male. The median PDE, free silica content, total dust concentration, and respirable dust concentration were 61.6%, 27.6%, 1.30 mg/m3, and 0.58 mg/m3, respectively, indicating that miners in nonmetal, nonferrous metal, small, and open-pit mines suffer high-level exposure to silica dust. Comprehensive qualitative risk assessment showed noncoal miners had a medium risk of silicosis, and the risks caused by total silica dust and respirable silica dust exposure were high and medium, respectively. When predicting H and I over the next 10, 20, and 30 years, we assumed that the miner gender was male. Under exposure to current total silica dust concentrations, median I10, I20, and I30 would be 6.8%, 25.1%, and 49.9%, respectively. Under exposure to current respirable silica dust concentrations, median I10, I20, and I30 would be 6.8%, 27.7%, and 57.4%, respectively. These findings showed that miners in nonmetal, nonferrous metal, small, and open-pit mines have a higher I and higher qualitative silicosis risk. CONCLUSIONS Chinese noncoal miners, especially those in nonmetal, nonferrous metal, small, and open-pit mines, still suffer high-level exposure to silica dust and a medium-level risk of silicosis. Data of both total silica dust and respirable silica dust are vital for occupational health risk assessment in order to devise effective control measures to reduce noncoal mine silica dust levels, improve miners' working environment, and reduce the risk of silicosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kai Liu
- National Institute for Occupational Health and Poison Control, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, China
| | - Xin Sun
- National Institute for Occupational Health and Poison Control, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, China
| | - Wei-Jiang Hu
- National Institute for Occupational Health and Poison Control, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, China
| | - Liang-Ying Mei
- Institute of Occupational Disease Prevention, Hubei Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Wuhan, China
| | - Heng-Dong Zhang
- Institute of Occupational Disease Prevention, Jiangsu Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Nanjing, China
| | - Shi-Biao Su
- Institute of Occupational Health Assessment, Guangdong Province Hospital for Occupational Disease Prevention and Treatment, Guangzhou, China
| | - Kang Ning
- Institute of Occupational Disease Prevention, Liaoning Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Shenyang, China
| | - Yun-Feng Nie
- Department of Health Risk Assessment, Hunan Prevention and Treatment Institute for Occupational Diseases, Changsha, China
| | - Le-Ping Qiu
- Institute of Occupational Health and Radiological Health, Sichuan Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Chengdu, China
| | - Ying Xia
- Institute of Occupational Disease Prevention, Hubei Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Wuhan, China
| | - Lei Han
- Institute of Occupational Disease Prevention, Jiangsu Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Nanjing, China
| | - Qiang Zhi
- Department of Occupational Disease Prevention and Control, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Hohhot, China
| | - Chun-Bo Shi
- Institute of Occupational Health and Public Health, Qinghai Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Xining, China
| | - Geng Wang
- Institute of Occupational Health and Public Health, Qinghai Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Xining, China
| | - Wei Wen
- Institute of Occupational Health Assessment, Guangdong Province Hospital for Occupational Disease Prevention and Treatment, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jian-Qiong Gao
- Department of Occupational Disease Prevention and Control, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Hohhot, China
| | - Bing Yu
- Enshi Tujia and Miao Autonomous Prefectural Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Enshi, China
| | - Xin Wang
- National Institute for Occupational Health and Poison Control, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, China
| | - Yi-Wen Dong
- National Institute for Occupational Health and Poison Control, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, China
| | - Ning Kang
- National Institute for Occupational Health and Poison Control, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, China
| | - Feng Han
- National Institute for Occupational Health and Poison Control, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, China
| | - Hong-Ying Bian
- National Institute for Occupational Health and Poison Control, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, China
| | - Yong-Qing Chen
- National Institute for Occupational Health and Poison Control, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, China
| | - Meng Ye
- National Institute for Occupational Health and Poison Control, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, China
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Tomic D, Hoy RF, Sin J, Jimenez Martin J, Gwini SM, Barnes H, Nikpour M, Morrisroe K, Lim YZ, Walker-Bone K. Autoimmune diseases, autoantibody status and silicosis in a cohort of 1238 workers from the artificial stone benchtop industry. Occup Environ Med 2024; 81:388-394. [PMID: 39134395 DOI: 10.1136/oemed-2024-109526] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2024] [Accepted: 07/29/2024] [Indexed: 09/01/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Autoimmune disorders are multifactorial but occupational exposures have long been implicated, including respirable crystalline silica (RCS). A modern epidemic of silicosis is emerging internationally, associated with dry processing of engineered stone with high (>90%) RCS content. We aimed to investigate the prevalence of clinical autoimmune disease and common autoantibodies in exposed workers. METHODS Stone benchtop industry workers in Victoria, Australia were offered free screening for silicosis and related disorders. Symptoms or diagnoses of autoimmune disease were evaluated by questionnaire and blood tests taken for rheumatoid factor (RF), antinuclear antibodies (ANAs) and extractable nuclear antigens (ENAs). RESULTS Among 1238 workers (93.3% male) screened from 2019 to 2021, 0.9% were confirmed with autoimmune disease. Among those without clinical disease, 24.6% had detectable ANAs (93.5% male), 4.6% detectable ENAs and 2.6% were positive for RF. Silicosis was diagnosed in 253 workers (24.3% of those with diagnostic information available). Of those with ANA readings, 54 (6.6%) had ANA titre >1:320. The likelihood of positive autoantibodies increased with age; smoking; higher exposure to RCS and silicosis diagnosis. CONCLUSION The proportion of workers with detectable ANAs or ENAs was considerably higher than the 5%-9% expected in the general population. Some of the antibodies detected (eg, Scl-70, CENPB) have high sensitivity and specificity for systemic sclerosis. Long-term follow-up will be needed to estimate incidence. Rheumatologists should explore occupational history in new cases of autoimmune disease. Screening for autoimmune disease is indicated in workers exposed to RCS as these individuals need specialised management and may be entitled to compensation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dunya Tomic
- Centre for Occupational and Environmental Health, Monash University School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Ryan F Hoy
- Centre for Occupational and Environmental Health, Monash University School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Alfred Health, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Jesselyn Sin
- Centre for Occupational and Environmental Health, Monash University School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Javier Jimenez Martin
- Centre for Occupational and Environmental Health, Monash University School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Stella May Gwini
- Centre for Occupational and Environmental Health, Monash University School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Hayley Barnes
- Centre for Occupational and Environmental Health, Monash University School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Alfred Health, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Mandana Nikpour
- Department of Medicine, The University of Melbourne Medicine at St Vincent's Hospital, Fitzroy, Victoria, Australia
- Department of Rheumatology, St Vincent's Hospital Melbourne Pty Ltd, Fitzroy, Victoria, Australia
| | - Kathleen Morrisroe
- Department of Medicine, The University of Melbourne Medicine at St Vincent's Hospital, Fitzroy, Victoria, Australia
- Department of Rheumatology, St Vincent's Hospital Melbourne Pty Ltd, Fitzroy, Victoria, Australia
| | - Yuan Z Lim
- Monash University School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Karen Walker-Bone
- Centre for Occupational and Environmental Health, Monash University School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- MRC Versus Arthritis Centre for Musculoskeletal Health and Work, University of Southampton MRC Lifecourse Epidemiology Centre, Southampton, UK
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Cavalin C, Menéndez-Navarro A, León-Jiménez A, Lecureur V, Lescoat A. The ban on engineered stone in Australia: a milestone in the fight against emerging silica hazards. Eur Respir J 2024; 63:2400138. [PMID: 38901887 DOI: 10.1183/13993003.00138-2024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2024] [Accepted: 05/03/2024] [Indexed: 06/22/2024]
Affiliation(s)
- Catherine Cavalin
- Centre for Research on Medicine, Science, Health, Mental Health and Society (Cermes3), CNRS UMR8211, InsermU988, EHESS, Paris-Cité University, Paris and Villejuif, France
- Centre for Studies on Employment and Labour (CEET, CNAM), Noisy-le-Grand, France
- Interdisciplinary Laboratory for the Evaluation of Public Policies (LIEPP), Sciences Po, Paris, France
| | | | - Antonio León-Jiménez
- University Hospital Puerta del Mar, Department of Respiratory Medicine, Cádiz, Spain
- Biomedical Research and Innovation Institute of Cádiz (INiBICA), Cádiz, Spain
| | - Valérie Lecureur
- Univ Rennes, CHU Rennes, Inserm, EHESP, Research Institute for Environmental and Occupational Health (IRSET) - UMR_S 1085, Rennes, France
| | - Alain Lescoat
- Univ Rennes, CHU Rennes, Inserm, EHESP, Research Institute for Environmental and Occupational Health (IRSET) - UMR_S 1085, Rennes, France
- Department of Internal Medicine and Clinical Immunology, Rennes University Hospital, Rennes, France
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Fireman EM, Fireman Klein E. Association between silicosis and autoimmune disease. Curr Opin Allergy Clin Immunol 2024; 24:45-50. [PMID: 38277164 PMCID: PMC10906195 DOI: 10.1097/aci.0000000000000966] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/27/2024]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW There is a well established association between silica inhalational exposure and autoimmune disease, particularly in the context of intense exposure. We will provide in this article an update overview of new sources of silica dust exposure, with evidences of mechanisms from human and animal studies for association between silica and autoimmune diseases, their early detection of silicosis and new options for treatment. RECENT FINDINGS New industries such as jewelry polishing, denim jean production, fabrication of artificial stone benchtops, glass manufacturing and glassware has led to re-emergence of silicosis around the world. Silicosis with long term exposure to dust containing crystalline silica has been examined as a possible risk factor with respect to several autoimmune diseases as scleroderma, rheumatoid arthritis, lupus erythematosus, and some types of small vessel vasculitis with renal involvement. The dust may act to promote or accelerate disease development, requiring some other factors to break immune tolerance or initiate autoimmunity. Autophagy, apoptosis, or pyroptosis-related signaling pathways have also been suggested to contribute to the formation of those pathways with coordination of environmental co-exposure that can magnify autoimmune vulnerability. SUMMARY Better understanding the mechanisms that involve silica -induced autoimmune diseases may contribute to early diagnosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth Miriam Fireman
- Department of Occupational Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Tel Aviv School of Medicine Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv
| | - Einat Fireman Klein
- Pulmonary Division, Lady Davis Carmel Medical Center, Faculty of Medicine Technion Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel
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5
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Chen CH, Tsai PJ, Chang WW, Chen CY, Chen CY, Yates D, Guo YL. Dose-response relationship between lung function and chest imaging response to silica exposures in artificial stone manufacturing workers. Environ Health 2024; 23:25. [PMID: 38429786 PMCID: PMC10908069 DOI: 10.1186/s12940-024-01067-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2024] [Accepted: 02/26/2024] [Indexed: 03/03/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Occupational exposure to artificial stone, a popular material used for countertops, can cause accelerated silicosis, but the precise relationship between silica dose and disease development is unclear. OBJECTIVES This study evaluated the impact of silica exposure on lung function and chest imaging in artificial stone manufacturing workers. METHODS Questionnaire and spirometry assessments were administered to workers in two plants. A high-exposure subset underwent further evaluation, including chest CT and DLco. Weighting factors, assigned as proxies for silica exposure, were based on work tasks. Individual cumulative exposures were estimated using area concentration measurements and time spent in specific areas. Exposure-response associations were analyzed using linear and logistic regression models. RESULTS Among 65 participants, the mean cumulative silica exposure was 3.61 mg/m3-year (range 0.0001 to 44.4). Each 1 mg/m3-year increase was associated with a 0.46% reduction in FVC, a 0.45% reduction in FEV1, and increased lung function abnormality risk (aOR = 1.27, 95% CI = 1.03-1.56). Weighting factors correlated with cumulative exposures (Spearman correlation = 0.59, p < 0.0001), and weighted tenure was associated with lung function abnormalities (aOR = 1.04, 95% CI = 1.01-1.09). Of 37 high-exposure workers, 19 underwent chest CT, with 12 (63%) showing abnormal opacities. Combining respiratory symptoms, lung function, and chest X-ray achieved 91.7% sensitivity and 75% specificity for predicting chest CT abnormalities. CONCLUSION Lung function and chest CT abnormalities occur commonly in artificial stone workers. For high-exposure individuals, abnormalities on health screening could prompt further chest CT examination to facilitate early silicosis detection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chi-Hsien Chen
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Medicine, College of Medicine and NTU Hospital, National Taiwan University (NTU), No. 7, Zhongshan S. Rd., Zhongzheng Dist, Taipei City, Taiwan
| | - Perng-Jy Tsai
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, 138 Sheng-Li Rd., North District, Tainan, 70403, Taiwan
| | - Wen-Wen Chang
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, 138 Sheng-Li Rd., North District, Tainan, 70403, Taiwan
| | - Cheng-Yao Chen
- Division of Occupational Hazards Assessment, Institute of Labor, Occupational Safety and Health, Ministry of Labor, No. 99, Ln. 407, Hengke Rd., Xizhi Dist, New Taipei City, 221004, Taiwan
| | - Chih-Yong Chen
- Division of Occupational Hazards Assessment, Institute of Labor, Occupational Safety and Health, Ministry of Labor, No. 99, Ln. 407, Hengke Rd., Xizhi Dist, New Taipei City, 221004, Taiwan
| | - Deborah Yates
- Respiratory Medicine, St Vincent's Public Hospital, Sydney, Australia
- St Vincent's Hospital Clinical School, Sydney, Australia
| | - Yue Leon Guo
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Medicine, College of Medicine and NTU Hospital, National Taiwan University (NTU), No. 7, Zhongshan S. Rd., Zhongzheng Dist, Taipei City, Taiwan.
- Institute of Occupational Medicine and Industrial Hygiene, National Taiwan University, No. 17, Xuzhou Rd., Zhongzheng Dist, Taipei City, Taiwan.
- National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Health Research Institutes, No. 35, Keyan Rd., Zhunan Township, Miaoli County, Taiwan.
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Medicine, College of Medicine and National Taiwan University Hospital, National Taiwan University, Rm 339, 17 Syujhou Road, Taipei, 100, Taiwan.
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Morin L, Lecureur V, Lescoat A. Results from omic approaches in rat or mouse models exposed to inhaled crystalline silica: a systematic review. Part Fibre Toxicol 2024; 21:10. [PMID: 38429797 PMCID: PMC10905840 DOI: 10.1186/s12989-024-00573-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2022] [Accepted: 02/26/2024] [Indexed: 03/03/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Crystalline silica (cSiO2) is a mineral found in rocks; workers from the construction or denim industries are particularly exposed to cSiO2 through inhalation. cSiO2 inhalation increases the risk of silicosis and systemic autoimmune diseases. Inhaled cSiO2 microparticles can reach the alveoli where they induce inflammation, cell death, auto-immunity and fibrosis but the specific molecular pathways involved in these cSiO2 effects remain unclear. This systematic review aims to provide a comprehensive state of the art on omic approaches and exposure models used to study the effects of inhaled cSiO2 in mice and rats and to highlight key results from omic data in rodents also validated in human. METHODS The protocol of systematic review follows PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) guidelines. Eligible articles were identified in PubMed, Embase and Web of Science. The search strategy included original articles published after 1990 and written in English which included mouse or rat models exposed to cSiO2 and utilized omic approaches to identify pathways modulated by cSiO2. Data were extracted and quality assessment was based on the SYRCLE's Risk of Bias tool for animal studies. RESULTS Rats and male rodents were the more used models while female rodents and autoimmune prone models were less studied. Exposure of animals were both acute and chronic and the timing of outcome measurement through omics approaches were homogeneously distributed. Transcriptomic techniques were more commonly performed while proteomic, metabolomic and single-cell omic methods were less utilized. Immunity and inflammation were the main domains modified by cSiO2 exposure in lungs of mice and rats. Less than 20% of the results obtained in rodents were finally verified in humans. CONCLUSION Omic technics offer new insights on the effects of cSiO2 exposure in mice and rats although the majority of data still need to be validated in humans. Autoimmune prone model should be better characterised and systemic effects of cSiO2 need to be further studied to better understand cSiO2-induced autoimmunity. Single-cell omics should be performed to inform on pathological processes induced by cSiO2 exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Morin
- Univ Rennes, CHU Rennes, INSERM, EHESP, IRSET (Institut de recherche en sante, environnement et travail), UMR_S 1085, 35000, Rennes, France
| | - Valérie Lecureur
- Univ Rennes, CHU Rennes, INSERM, EHESP, IRSET (Institut de recherche en sante, environnement et travail), UMR_S 1085, 35000, Rennes, France.
| | - Alain Lescoat
- Univ Rennes, CHU Rennes, INSERM, EHESP, IRSET (Institut de recherche en sante, environnement et travail), UMR_S 1085, 35000, Rennes, France
- Department of Internal Medicine, Rennes University Hospital, 35000, Rennes, France
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7
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Spagnolo P, Ryerson CJ, Guler S, Feary J, Churg A, Fontenot AP, Piciucchi S, Udwadia Z, Corte TJ, Wuyts WA, Johannson KA, Cottin V. Occupational interstitial lung diseases. J Intern Med 2023; 294:798-815. [PMID: 37535448 DOI: 10.1111/joim.13707] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/05/2023]
Abstract
Millions of workers are exposed to substances known to cause occupational interstitial lung diseases (ILDs), particularly in developing countries. However, the burden of the disease is likely to be underestimated due to under-recognition, under-reporting or both. The diagnosis of occupational ILD requires a high level of suspicion and a thorough occupational history, as occupational and non-occupational ILDs may be clinically, functionally and radiologically indistinguishable, leading to delayed diagnosis and inappropriate management. A potential occupational aetiology should always be considered in the differential diagnosis of ILD, as removal from the workplace exposure, with or without treatment, is a key therapeutic intervention and may lead to significant improvement. In this article, we provide an overview of the 'traditional' inorganic dust-related ILDs but also address idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis and the immunologically mediated chronic beryllium disease, sarcoidosis and hypersensitivity pneumonitis, with emphasis on the importance of surveillance and prevention for reducing the burden of these conditions. To this end, health-care professionals should be specifically trained about the importance of occupational exposures as a potential cause of ILD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paolo Spagnolo
- Respiratory, Disease Unit, Department of Cardiac, Thoracic, Vascular Sciences and Public Health, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Christopher J Ryerson
- Department of Medicine, St. Paul's Hospital, University of British Columbia and Centre for Heart Lung Innovation, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Sabina Guler
- Department of Pulmonary Medicine, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Johanna Feary
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Royal Brompton Hospital, London, UK
- National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Andrew Churg
- Department of Pathology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Andrew P Fontenot
- Department of Medicine, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus Aurora, Aurora, Colorado, USA
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus Aurora, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - Sara Piciucchi
- Department of Radiology, G.B. Morgagni Hospital/University of Bologna, Forlì, Italy
| | - Zarir Udwadia
- Hinduja Hospital and Research Center, Breach Candy Hospital, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
| | - Tamera J Corte
- NHMRC Centre of Research Excellence in Pulmonary Fibrosis, Camperdown, New South Wales, Australia
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Wim A Wuyts
- Unit for Interstitial Lung Diseases, University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Kerri A Johannson
- Department of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
- Department of Community Health Sciences, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Vincent Cottin
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, National Reference Coordinating Centre for Rare Pulmonary Diseases, Louis Pradel Hospital, Hospices Civils de Lyon, Lyon, France
- Université de Lyon, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, UMR754, IVPC, Lyon, France
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8
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Lescoat A, Bellando-Randone S, Campochiaro C, Del Galdo F, Denton CP, Farrington S, Galetti I, Khanna D, Kuwana M, Truchetet ME, Allanore Y, Matucci-Cerinic M. Beyond very early systemic sclerosis: deciphering pre‑scleroderma and its trajectories to open new avenues for preventive medicine. THE LANCET. RHEUMATOLOGY 2023; 5:e683-e694. [PMID: 38251534 DOI: 10.1016/s2665-9913(23)00212-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2023] [Revised: 07/09/2023] [Accepted: 08/01/2023] [Indexed: 01/23/2024]
Abstract
The identification of individuals with systemic sclerosis in an oligosymptomatic phase preceding the very early manifestations of the disease represents a challenge in the search for a new window of opportunity in systemic sclerosis. This phase could be identified in a clinical scenario as the pre-scleroderma phase, in which the disease would still be far from systemic sclerosis-related fibrotic or irreversible manifestations in skin or organs. In this Personal View, we discuss parameters and candidate definitions for a conceptual framework of pre-scleroderma, from the identification of populations at risk to autoantibodies and their potential functional activities. We discuss how this new paradigm of pre-scleroderma could represent a game-changing approach in the management of systemic sclerosis, allowing the treatment of patients at high risk of organ involvement or skin fibrosis before such events occur.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alain Lescoat
- Department of Internal Medicine and Clinical Immunology, CHU Rennes, University of Rennes 1, Rennes, France; Institut de Recherche en Sante, Environnement, et Travail, CHU Rennes, University of Rennes, Inserm, EHESP, Rennes, France.
| | - Silvia Bellando-Randone
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, Florence, Italy; Division of Rheumatology, AOUC, Florence, Italy
| | - Corrado Campochiaro
- Unit of Immunology, Rheumatology, Allergy, and Rare diseases, IRCCS San Raffaele Hospital, Milan, Italy; Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Milan, Italy
| | - Francesco Del Galdo
- Department of Rheumatology, Leeds Institute of Rheumatic and Musculoskeletal Medicine, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK
| | - Christopher P Denton
- Centre for Rheumatology, Division of Medicine, Royal Free Campus, University College London, London, UK
| | - Sue Farrington
- Scleroderma & Raynaud Society UK, London, UK; Federation of European Scleroderma Associations, Copenhagen, Denmark; Federation of European Scleroderma Associations, Budapest, Hungary; Federation of European Scleroderma Associations, London, UK
| | - Ilaria Galetti
- Federation of European Scleroderma Associations, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Dinesh Khanna
- University of Michigan Scleroderma Program, Division of Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Masataka Kuwana
- Department of Allergy and Rheumatology, Graduate School of Medicine, Nippon Medical School, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Marie-Elise Truchetet
- Department of Rheumatology, UMR5164 ImmunoConcept, Bordeaux University, Bordeaux University Hospital, CNRS, Bordeaux, France
| | - Yannick Allanore
- INSERM U1016 UMR 8104, Université Paris Cité, Hôpital Cochin, Paris, France
| | - Marco Matucci-Cerinic
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, Florence, Italy; Division of Rheumatology, AOUC, Florence, Italy; Unit of Immunology, Rheumatology, Allergy, and Rare diseases, IRCCS San Raffaele Hospital, Milan, Italy; Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Milan, Italy
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9
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Cavalin C, Lescoat A, Sigaux J, Macchi O, Ballerie A, Catinon M, Vincent M, Semerano L, Boissier MC, Rosental PA. Crystalline silica exposure in patients with rheumatoid arthritis and systemic sclerosis: a nationwide cross-sectional survey. Rheumatology (Oxford) 2023; 62:2707-2715. [PMID: 36458909 DOI: 10.1093/rheumatology/keac675] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2022] [Accepted: 11/23/2022] [Indexed: 08/03/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Develop and validate a thorough exposure questionnaire to comprehensively explore crystalline silica (SiO2) exposure in the general population (gender-specific, occupational and non-occupational) and in patients with autoimmune diseases (rheumatoid arthritis (RA), systemic sclerosis (SSc)). METHODS Lifetime exposures to SiO2 in occupational and non-occupational settings were assessed using a thorough exposure questionnaire. The questionnaire was applied to a general population panel (n = 2911) sampled from the French rolling census, and to unselected patients with SSc (n = 100) and RA (n = 97). Global (GES), occupational (OES) and non-occupational (NOES) exposure scores were assessed in SSc and RA patients, and compared with up to four controls from the general population, matched by age group, sex and tobacco consumption. RESULTS Patients had higher GES than their matched controls (SSc: P = 0.001; RA: P < 0.0001) due to higher OES (P < 0.0001 for SSc and RA). Men had higher GES than women (SSc: P < 0.0001; RA: P = 0.002) due to higher OES (P < 0.0001 for SSc and RA). The NOES did not differ between men and women. In SSc patients: Men had higher GES than controls (P < 0.0001). Men and women with SSc had higher OES than controls (P < 0.0001). In RA patients: GES and OES were higher in both men (P = 0.00521; P < 0.0001) and women (P < 0.0001; P < 0.0001) than in their respective controls. Women had higher NOES than controls (P = 0.045). CONCLUSION The lifetime SiO2 exposure gap between RA and SSc patients and controls was substantially due to occupational exposure. In both diseases, men had higher exposure scores than women.
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Affiliation(s)
- Catherine Cavalin
- IRISSO, UMR CNRS-INRAE 7170-1427, Paris-Dauphine University, PSL, Paris, France
- Laboratory for Interdisciplinary Evaluation of Public Policies (LIEPP), Sciences Po,Paris, France
- Centre d'études de l'emploi et du travail (CEET, CNAM), Noisy-le-Grand, France
| | - Alain Lescoat
- Department of Internal Medicine and Clinical Immunology, Rennes University Hospital, Rennes, France
- Inserm, EHESP, Irset (Institute for Research in Health, Environment and Work) - UMR_S 1085, Rue du Thabor, France
| | - Johanna Sigaux
- Inserm U1125, Sorbonne Paris Nord University, Li2P, Bobigny, France
- Rheumatology Department, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, GH HUPSSD, Bobigny, France
| | - Odile Macchi
- Investigation Department of the International Observatory of Prisons (OIP), Paris, France
- Centre for the Study of Social Movements (CEMS), École des Hautes Études en Sciences Sociales (EHESS), Paris, France
| | - Alice Ballerie
- Department of Internal Medicine and Clinical Immunology, Rennes University Hospital, Rennes, France
- Inserm, EHESP, Irset (Institute for Research in Health, Environment and Work) - UMR_S 1085, Rue du Thabor, France
| | | | | | - Luca Semerano
- Inserm U1125, Sorbonne Paris Nord University, Li2P, Bobigny, France
- Rheumatology Department, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, GH HUPSSD, Bobigny, France
| | - Marie-Christophe Boissier
- Inserm U1125, Sorbonne Paris Nord University, Li2P, Bobigny, France
- Rheumatology Department, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, GH HUPSSD, Bobigny, France
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10
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Hoy RF, Dimitriadis C, Abramson M, Glass DC, Gwini S, Hore-Lacy F, Jimenez-Martin J, Walker-Bone K, Sim MR. Prevalence and risk factors for silicosis among a large cohort of stone benchtop industry workers. Occup Environ Med 2023; 80:439-446. [PMID: 37328266 PMCID: PMC10423513 DOI: 10.1136/oemed-2023-108892] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2023] [Accepted: 05/30/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES High silica content artificial stone has been found to be associated with silicosis among stone benchtop industry (SBI) workers. The objectives of this study were to determine the prevalence of and risk factors for silicosis among a large cohort of screened SBI workers, and determine the reliability of respiratory function testing (RFT) and chest x-ray (CXR) as screening tests in this industry. METHODS Subjects were recruited from a health screening programme available to all SBI workers in Victoria, Australia. Workers undertook primary screening, including an International Labour Office (ILO) classified CXR, and subject to prespecified criteria, also underwent secondary screening including high-resolution CT (HRCT) chest and respiratory physician assessment. RESULTS Among 544 SBI workers screened, 95% worked with artificial stone and 86.2% were exposed to dry processing of stone. Seventy-six per cent (414) required secondary screening, among whom 117 (28.2%) were diagnosed with silicosis (median age at diagnosis 42.1 years (IQR 34.8-49.7)), and all were male. In secondary screening, silicosis was associated with longer SBI career duration (12 vs 8 years), older age, lower body mass index and smoking. In those with silicosis, forced vital capacity was below the lower limit of normal in only 14% and diffusion capacity for carbon monoxide in 13%. Thirty-six (39.6%) of those with simple silicosis on chest HRCT had an ILO category 0 CXR. CONCLUSION Screening this large cohort of SBI workers identified exposure to dry processing of stone was common and the prevalence of silicosis was high. Compared with HRCT chest, CXR and RFTs had limited value in screening this high-risk population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryan F Hoy
- Monash Centre for Occupational and Environmental Health, School of Public Health & Preventive Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Alfred Health, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Christina Dimitriadis
- Monash Centre for Occupational and Environmental Health, School of Public Health & Preventive Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Michael Abramson
- School of Public Health & Preventive Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Deborah C Glass
- Monash Centre for Occupational and Environmental Health, School of Public Health & Preventive Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - StellaMay Gwini
- Monash Centre for Occupational and Environmental Health, School of Public Health & Preventive Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Fiona Hore-Lacy
- Monash Centre for Occupational and Environmental Health, School of Public Health & Preventive Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Alfred Health, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Javier Jimenez-Martin
- Monash Centre for Occupational and Environmental Health, School of Public Health & Preventive Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Karen Walker-Bone
- Monash Centre for Occupational and Environmental Health, School of Public Health & Preventive Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Malcolm R Sim
- Monash Centre for Occupational and Environmental Health, School of Public Health & Preventive Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
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11
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Brückner U, Bonifer E, Schneider J. Silicosis and systemic sclerosis in a stonemason. ZENTRALBLATT FÜR ARBEITSMEDIZIN, ARBEITSSCHUTZ UND ERGONOMIE 2023. [DOI: 10.1007/s40664-023-00499-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/08/2023]
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12
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Ding J, Li J, Qi J, Fu L. Characterization of dental dust particles and their pathogenicity to respiratory system: a narrative review. Clin Oral Investig 2023; 27:1815-1829. [PMID: 36773127 PMCID: PMC9918839 DOI: 10.1007/s00784-023-04910-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2022] [Accepted: 02/03/2023] [Indexed: 02/12/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Dental professionals are exposed to large amounts of dust particles during routine treatment and denture processing. This article provides a narrative review to investigate the most prevalent dust-related respiratory diseases among dental professionals and to discuss the effects of dental dust on human respiratory health. MATERIALS AND METHODS A literature search was performed in PubMed/Medline, Web of Science, and Embase for articles published between 1990 and 2022. Any articles on the occupational respiratory health effects of dental dust were included. RESULTS The characterization and toxicity evaluation of dental dust show a correlation between dust exposure and respiratory system injury, and the possible pathogenic mechanism of dust is to cause lung injury and abnormal repair processes. The combination use of personal protective equipment and particle removal devices can effectively reduce the adverse health effects of dust exposure. CONCLUSIONS Dental dust should be considered an additional occupational hazard in dental practice. However, clinical data and scientific evidence on this topic are still scarce. Further research is required to quantify dust in the dental work environment and clarify its pathogenicity and potential toxicological pathways. Nonetheless, the prevention of dust exposure should become a consensus among dental practitioners. CLINICAL RELEVANCE This review provides dental practitioners with a comprehensive understanding and preventive advice on respiratory health problems associated with dust exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiaxin Ding
- grid.64924.3d0000 0004 1760 5735Hospital of Stomatology, Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Junxuan Li
- grid.64924.3d0000 0004 1760 5735Hospital of Stomatology, Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Junnan Qi
- grid.64924.3d0000 0004 1760 5735Hospital of Stomatology, Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Li Fu
- Department of Oral Implantology, Hospital of Stomatology, Jilin University, 1500 Qinghua Road, Chaoyang District, Changchun, 130021, China.
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13
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Ronsmans S, Blanc PD. Colinet-Caplan Syndrome: History of an Outbreak of Autoimmune Disease in Scouring Powder Workers. Ann Intern Med 2023; 176:260-265. [PMID: 36623284 DOI: 10.7326/m22-2630] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
The first modern description linking rheumatoid arthritis to occupational dust exposure is generally attributed to the British physician Anthony Caplan. In 1953, Caplan reported on a "peculiar" nodular pattern on chest radiographs of Welsh coal miners with rheumatoid arthritis that differed from the typical coal workers' pneumoconiosis. However, as early as 1950, the Belgian rheumatologist Émile Colinet described a similar case of rheumatoid arthritis and concomitant pulmonary opacities in a 30-year-old woman with silica exposure. Soon after, he published a second case. Although this condition initially was called Colinet-Caplan syndrome in the Francophone biomedical literature, Colinet's name was later dropped from the eponym. Because Colinet never clearly described the specific occupational context of his cases, Caplan syndrome has been misconstrued as uniquely a disease of coal miners. We attempted to reconstruct the working conditions of Colinet's patients and found that they were packing Vim, a silica-based scouring powder, at the Savonneries Lever Frères factory in Brussels, Belgium. Colinet's cases were only the first 2 in a series of reports of rheumatoid arthritis and other autoimmune diseases, mainly among young women, in those who worked in the production of silica-based scouring powder between the 1930s and 1980s across Europe. The largest outbreak involved 32 cases of autoimmune disease among 50 former workers of a Spanish scouring powder manufacturing facility. After silica in scouring powders was replaced with less hazardous materials later in the 20th century, no further cases have been reported. Although scouring powder disease is a historical phenomenon, autoimmune disorders linked to occupational exposure to silica and coal dust have not disappeared but instead are reemerging among those who work with silica-based artificial stone and in other dusty trades.
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Affiliation(s)
- Steven Ronsmans
- Centre for Environment and Health, Department of Public Health and Primary Care, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium (S.R.)
| | - Paul D Blanc
- Division of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California (P.D.B.)
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14
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Lee CT, Feary J, Johannson KA. Environmental and occupational exposures in interstitial lung disease. Curr Opin Pulm Med 2022; 28:414-420. [PMID: 35838370 DOI: 10.1097/mcp.0000000000000894] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW We highlight recent advances in the understanding of how environmental and occupational exposures increase the risk of developing interstitial lung disease (ILD), and how to evaluate a patient for potential exposures. RECENT FINDINGS A review of emerging literature suggests that environmental and occupational exposures can be directly causal, as in the case of the pneumoconioses and smoking-related ILDs, or one of many contributors to disease, as in the case of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). Regardless of the level of association, exposures are clearly prevalent across all ILD subtypes studied. SUMMARY Inhalational exposures are increasingly recognized as an important component in the development of ILDs, and novel exposure-disease associations continue to be discovered. These exposures represent potential opportunities for further understanding the pathobiology of disease and for the prevention of these often progressive and debilitating disorders. Prospective, comprehensive data collection regarding occupational and environmental exposures are needed in ILD patients to fully elucidate specific antigens and their relationships to disease incidence and outcomes. Systematically collected exposure information will also inform potential interventions to remediate exposures and thus mitigate the course of frequently progressive and fatal diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cathryn T Lee
- Department of Medicine, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Johanna Feary
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Royal Brompton Hospital
- National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Kerri A Johannson
- Department of Medicine
- Department of Community Health Sciences, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
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15
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Mandler WK, Qi C, Qian Y. Hazardous dusts from the fabrication of countertop: a review. ARCHIVES OF ENVIRONMENTAL & OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH 2022; 78:118-126. [PMID: 35912480 PMCID: PMC9909587 DOI: 10.1080/19338244.2022.2105287] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Artificial countertop materials, including solid surface composites (SSC) and engineered stone (ES) may pose significant pulmonary health risks for workers who manipulate them. These materials have rapidly become popular in the multibillion-dollar countertop industry, rivaling that of natural materials such as granite and marble due to their variety of desirable esthetic qualities and reduced costs. Both SSC and ES consist of a mineral substrate bound together in a polymer matrix. For SSC the mineral is about 70% aluminum trihydrate (ATH) while ES contains up to 95% crystalline silica by weight. Both materials emit airborne dusts when being manipulated with power tools during the fabrication process. Several deaths and dozens of cases of silicosis have been identified worldwide in workers who fabricate ES, while a single case of fatal pulmonary fibrosis has been associated with SCC dust exposure. This review examines the current state of knowledge for both SSC and ES regarding the composition, particle emission characteristics, workplace exposure data, particle constituent toxicity, and possible methods for reducing worker exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- W. Kyle Mandler
- Health Effects Laboratory Division, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Morgantown, WV, USA
| | - Chaolong Qi
- Division of Field Studies and Engineering, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Yong Qian
- Health Effects Laboratory Division, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Morgantown, WV, USA
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16
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Leinardi R, Longo Sanchez-Calero C, Huaux F. Think Beyond Particle Cytotoxicity: When Self-Cellular Components Released After Immunogenic Cell Death Explain Chronic Disease Development. FRONTIERS IN TOXICOLOGY 2022; 4:887228. [PMID: 35846433 PMCID: PMC9284505 DOI: 10.3389/ftox.2022.887228] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2022] [Accepted: 06/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The prolonged perturbation of the immune system following the release of a plethora of self-molecules (known as damage-associated molecular patterns, DAMPs) by stressed or dying cells triggers acute and chronic pathological responses. DAMPs are commonly released after plasma membrane damage or complete rupture due to immunogenic cell death (ICD), upon numerous stressors including infectious and toxic agents. The set of DAMPs released after ICD include mature proinflammatory cytokines and alarmins, but also polymeric macromolecules. These self-intracellular components are recognized by injured and healthy surrounding cells via innate receptors, and induce upregulation of stress-response mechanisms, including inflammation. In this review, by overstepping the simple toxicological evaluation, we apply ICD and DAMP concepts to silica cytotoxicity, providing new insights on the mechanisms driving the progress and/or the exacerbation of certain SiO2–related pathologies. Finally, by proposing self-DNA as new crucial DAMP, we aim to pave the way for the development of innovative and easy-to-perform predictive tests to better identify the hazard of fine and ultrafine silica particles. Importantly, such mechanisms could be extended to nano/micro plastics and diesel particles, providing strategic advice and reports on their health issues.
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17
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Hoy RF, Jeebhay MF, Cavalin C, Chen W, Cohen RA, Fireman E, Go LHT, León‐Jiménez A, Menéndez‐Navarro A, Ribeiro M, Rosental P. Current global perspectives on silicosis-Convergence of old and newly emergent hazards. Respirology 2022; 27:387-398. [PMID: 35302259 PMCID: PMC9310854 DOI: 10.1111/resp.14242] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2021] [Accepted: 01/05/2022] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
Silicosis not a disease of the past. It is an irreversible, fibrotic lung disease specifically caused by exposure to respirable crystalline silica (RCS) dust. Over 20,000 incident cases of silicosis were identified in 2017 and millions of workers continue to be exposed to RCS. Identified case numbers are however a substantial underestimation due to deficiencies in reporting systems and occupational respiratory health surveillance programmes in many countries. Insecure workers, immigrants and workers in small businesses are at particular risk of more intense RCS exposure. Much of the focus of research and prevention activities has been on the mining sector. Hazardous RCS exposure however occurs in a wide range of occupational setting which receive less attention, in particular the construction industry. Recent outbreaks of silicosis associated with the fabrication of domestic kitchen benchtops from high-silica content artificial stone have been particularly notable because of the young age of affected workers, short duration of RCS exposure and often rapid disease progression. Developments in nanotechnology and hydraulic fracking provide further examples of how rapid changes in technology and industrial processes require governments to maintain constant vigilance to identify and control potential sources of RCS exposure. Despite countries around the world dealing with similar issues related to RCS exposure, there is an absence of sustained global public health response including lack of consensus of an occupational exposure limit that would provide protection to workers. Although there are complex challenges, global elimination of silicosis must remain the goal.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryan F. Hoy
- School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health SciencesMonash UniversityMelbourneVictoriaAustralia
- Department of Respiratory MedicineThe Alfred HospitalPrahranVictoriaAustralia
| | - Mohamed F. Jeebhay
- Occupational Medicine Division and Centre for Environmental & Occupational Health Research, School of Public Health and Family MedicineUniversity of Cape TownCape TownSouth Africa
| | - Catherine Cavalin
- CNRS (IRISSO, UMR CNRS‐INRAE 7170‐1427), Université Paris‐Dauphine, PSL, Soutien à la mobilité internationale (SMI) du CNRSParisFrance
- Madrid Institute for Advanced Study (MIAS)MadridSpain
- Interdisciplinary Laboratory for the Evaluation of Public Policies, LIEPPSciences PoParisFrance
- Employment and Labour Research Centre, CNAMNoisy‐le‐GrandFrance
| | - Weihong Chen
- Key Laboratory of Environment and Health, Ministry of Education and Ministry of Environmental Protection, and State Key Laboratory of Environmental Health (Incubating), School of Public Health, Tongji Medical CollegeHuazhong University of Science and TechnologyWuhanChina
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Tongji Medical CollegeHuazhong University of Science and TechnologyWuhanChina
| | - Robert A. Cohen
- Department of Medicine, Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care MedicineNorthwestern University Feinberg School of MedicineChicagoIllinoisUSA
- Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences Division, School of Public HealthUniversity of Illinois ChicagoChicagoIllinoisUSA
| | - Elizabeth Fireman
- Institute of Pulmonary and Allergic DiseasesTel‐Aviv Sourasky Medical CenterTel AvivIsrael
- Department Occupational Environmental Medicine, Sackler School of MedicineTel Aviv UniversityTel AvivIsrael
| | - Leonard H. T. Go
- Department of Medicine, Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care MedicineNorthwestern University Feinberg School of MedicineChicagoIllinoisUSA
- Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences Division, School of Public HealthUniversity of Illinois ChicagoChicagoIllinoisUSA
| | - Antonio León‐Jiménez
- Pulmonology, Allergy and Thoracic Surgery DepartmentPuerta del Mar University HospitalCádizSpain
| | | | - Marcos Ribeiro
- Pulmonary DepartmentUniversidade Estadual de Londrina: LondrinaParanáBrazil
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18
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Hua JT, Zell-Baran L, Go LHT, Kramer MR, Van Bree JB, Chambers D, Deller D, Newbigin K, Matula M, Fireman E, Dahbash M, Martinez-Gonzalez C, León-Jimenez A, Sack C, Ferrer J, Villar A, Almberg KS, Cohen RA, Rose CS. Demographic, exposure and clinical characteristics in a multinational registry of engineered stone workers with silicosis. Occup Environ Med 2022; 79:oemed-2021-108190. [PMID: 35504722 PMCID: PMC9453561 DOI: 10.1136/oemed-2021-108190] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2021] [Accepted: 04/18/2022] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To investigate differences in workplace exposure, demographic and clinical findings in engineered stone (ES) workers from a multinational consortium using the Engineered Stone Silicosis Investigators (ESSI) Global Silicosis Registry. METHODS With ethics board approval in Israel, Spain, Australia and the USA, ES workers ages 18+ with a physician diagnosis of work-related silicosis were enrolled. Demographic, occupational, radiologic, pulmonary function and silica-related comorbidity data were compared cross-sectionally among countries using analysis of variance, Fisher's exact tests and logistic regression. RESULTS Among 169 ES workers with silicosis, most were men, with mean age 51.7 (±11.4) years. Mean work tenure in stone fabrication or masonry was 19.9 (±9.8) years. Different methods of case ascertainment explained some inter-country differences, for example, workers in Queensland, Australia with a state-based surveillance program were likely to be identified earlier and with shorter work tenure. Overall, 32.5% of workers had progressive massive fibrosis, the most severe form of dust-related pneumoconiosis, of whom 18.5% reported ≤10 years of work tenure. Lung function impairment including restriction, reduced diffusion capacity and hypoxaemia was common, as was autoimmunity. CONCLUSIONS Findings from a multinational registry represent a unique effort to compare demographic, exposure and clinical information from ES workers with silicosis, and suggest a substantial emerging population of workers worldwide with severe and irreversible silica-associated diseases. This younger worker population is at high risk for disease progression, multiple comorbidities and severe disability. The ESSI registry provides an ongoing framework for investigating epidemiological trends and developing prospective studies for prevention and treatment of these workers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeremy Tang Hua
- Division of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, National Jewish Health, Denver, Colorado, USA
- Division of Pulmonary Sciences and Critical Care Medicine, University of Colorado - Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - Lauren Zell-Baran
- Division of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, National Jewish Health, Denver, Colorado, USA
| | - Leonard H T Go
- School of Public Health, University of Illinois, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | | | | | - Daniel Chambers
- School of Clinical Medicine, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - David Deller
- Gold Coast Respiratory and Sleep Clinic, Pindara Private Hospital, Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia
| | - Katrina Newbigin
- Department of Radiology, Wesley Hospital, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Michael Matula
- School of Allied Health Sciences, Griffith University, Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia
| | - Elizabeth Fireman
- Occupational Environmental Department, Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Mor Dahbash
- Occupational Environmental Department, Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | | | - Antonio León-Jimenez
- Pulmonology, Allergy and Thoracic Surgery Department, Puerta del Mar University Hospital, Cádiz, Spain
| | - Coralynn Sack
- Departments of Medicine & Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Jaume Ferrer
- Pulmonology, Hospital Vall d'Hebron, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Ana Villar
- Respiratory Medicine Department, Hospital Vall d'Hebron, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Kirsten S Almberg
- School of Public Health, Division of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, University of Illinois, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Robert A Cohen
- Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, University of Illinois, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Cecile S Rose
- Division of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, National Jewish Health, Denver, Colorado, USA
- Division of Pulmonary Sciences and Critical Care Medicine, University of Colorado - Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado, USA
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19
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Blanc PD. Becoming disenthralled with our conventional understanding of occupational lung disease. Respirology 2022; 27:383-384. [DOI: 10.1111/resp.14273] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2022] [Accepted: 04/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Paul D. Blanc
- Division of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Department of Medicine University of California San Francisco San Francisco California USA
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20
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Lee CT, Ventura IB, Phillips EK, Leahy A, Jablonski R, Montner S, Chung JH, Vij R, Adegunsoye A, Strek ME. Interstitial Lung Disease in Firefighters: An Emerging Occupational Hazard. Front Med (Lausanne) 2022; 9:864658. [PMID: 35386918 PMCID: PMC8977739 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2022.864658] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2022] [Accepted: 02/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction Occupational risk factors for interstitial lung disease (ILD) are a remediable aspect of this progressive pulmonary disorder. The association between firefighting and ILD is unknown. Our objective was to assess the characteristics of firefighters with ILD from a large single-center ILD registry. Methods The University of Chicago ILD database was reviewed for patients with a history of firefighting. Clinical information was abstracted from the medical record. The prevalence rate ratio of firefighters in the database compared to the baseline prevalence of firefighting in the Chicago metropolitan area was calculated via the Poisson distribution. Results Nineteen firefighters were identified; all were men. A variety of ILD subtypes were seen across the cohort, including four patients with a diagnosis of connective tissue disease. Patients had mild forced vital capacity (FVC) and moderate diffusing capacity for carbon monoxide (DLCO) decrements on presentation; three patients died and two received lung transplantation over an average follow-up time of 76 months. Firefighters were seen at a greater proportion in the ILD registry than in the general population with a prevalence rate ratio of 3.98. Conclusions Firefighting was overrepresented in our cohort compared to the general population, suggesting that there may be a causative association between firefighting and the presence of ILD. The wide variety of ILD subtypes observed suggest that all ILD patients should be asked about their occupational history. Further investigation to identify occupational exposures and determine the benefit of remediation is needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cathryn T Lee
- Section of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, United States
| | - Iazsmin Bauer Ventura
- Section of Rheumatology, Department of Medicine, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, United States
| | - E Kate Phillips
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Amy Leahy
- Section of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, United States
| | - Renea Jablonski
- Section of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, United States
| | - Steven Montner
- Section of Thoracic Radiology, Department of Radiology, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, United States
| | - Jonathan H Chung
- Section of Thoracic Radiology, Department of Radiology, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, United States
| | - Rekha Vij
- Section of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, United States
| | - Ayodeji Adegunsoye
- Section of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, United States
| | - Mary E Strek
- Section of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, United States
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21
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The EXIMIOUS project—Mapping exposure-induced immune effects: connecting the exposome and the immunome. Environ Epidemiol 2022; 6:e193. [PMID: 35169671 PMCID: PMC8835560 DOI: 10.1097/ee9.0000000000000193] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2020] [Accepted: 12/27/2021] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Immune-mediated, noncommunicable diseases—such as autoimmune and inflammatory diseases—are chronic disorders, in which the interaction between environmental exposures and the immune system plays an important role. The prevalence and societal costs of these diseases are rising in the European Union. The EXIMIOUS consortium—gathering experts in immunology, toxicology, occupational health, clinical medicine, exposure science, epidemiology, bioinformatics, and sensor development—will study eleven European study populations, covering the entire lifespan, including prenatal life. Innovative ways of characterizing and quantifying the exposome will be combined with high-dimensional immunophenotyping and -profiling platforms to map the immune effects (immunome) induced by the exposome. We will use two main approaches that “meet in the middle”—one starting from the exposome, the other starting from health effects. Novel bioinformatics tools, based on systems immunology and machine learning, will be used to integrate and analyze these large datasets to identify immune fingerprints that reflect a person’s lifetime exposome or that are early predictors of disease. This will allow researchers, policymakers, and clinicians to grasp the impact of the exposome on the immune system at the level of individuals and populations.
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22
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Janssen LMF, Ghosh M, Lemaire F, Michael Pollard K, Hoet PHM. Exposure to silicates and systemic autoimmune-related outcomes in rodents: a systematic review. Part Fibre Toxicol 2022; 19:4. [PMID: 34996462 PMCID: PMC8739508 DOI: 10.1186/s12989-021-00439-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2021] [Accepted: 11/30/2021] [Indexed: 12/09/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Autoimmunity can result from the interplay between genetic background and effects of environmental and/or occupational exposure to hazardous materials. Several compounds, including silica dust, have been linked with systemic autoimmunity and systemic autoimmune diseases, based on epidemiological evidence. For asbestos, a strong link with systemic autoimmune diseases does not yet exist, however, several studies have documented features of autoimmunity following asbestos exposure. Even so, human studies are limited in their ability to identify and examine isolated exposures, making it difficult to demonstrate causation or to assess pathogenic mechanisms. Therefore, this systematic review examines the existing animal evidence regarding autoimmunity and exposure to silicates (silica and asbestos). METHODS PubMed and EMBASE were systematically searched for peer-reviewed studies examining systemic autoimmune disease-related outcomes after silicate exposure in rodents. Literature databases were searched up to September 2021 for studies written in English and where the full text was available. Search strings were established based on a PECO (Population, Exposure, Comparator, Outcome) format. After title, abstract, and full-text screening, thirty-four studies were identified for further analysis. Quality assessment through ToxR tool and qualitative analysis of the results was performed. RESULTS Although there was significant heterogeneity in the included studies in terms of exposure protocol and genetic background of the rodent models used, it was noted that both genetic background and exposure to silicates [(crystalline) silica and asbestos] are highly relevant to the development of (sub-) clinical systemic autoimmune disease. CONCLUSION Parallels were observed between the findings from the animal (this review) and human (epidemiological) studies, arguing that experimental animal models are valuable tools for examining exacerbation or development of autoimmune disease after silicate exposure. However, genetic background and synergism between exposures should be considered in future studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisa M F Janssen
- Laboratory of Toxicology, Unit of Environment and Health, Department of Public Health and Primary Care, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Laboratory of Respiratory Diseases and Thoracic Surgery (BREATHE), KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Manosij Ghosh
- Laboratory of Toxicology, Unit of Environment and Health, Department of Public Health and Primary Care, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Laboratory of Respiratory Diseases and Thoracic Surgery (BREATHE), KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Frauke Lemaire
- Laboratory of Toxicology, Unit of Environment and Health, Department of Public Health and Primary Care, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - K Michael Pollard
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Scripps Research, La Jolla, CA, 92037, USA
| | - Peter H M Hoet
- Laboratory of Toxicology, Unit of Environment and Health, Department of Public Health and Primary Care, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.
- Laboratory of Respiratory Diseases and Thoracic Surgery (BREATHE), KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.
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23
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Pérez-Alonso A, González-Domínguez ME, Novalbos-Ruiz JP, León-Jiménez A, Córdoba-Doña JA. Artificial Stone Silicosis: Accumulation of errors in the resurgence of an occupational disease: A qualitative study. Work 2021; 70:433-442. [PMID: 34633345 DOI: 10.3233/wor-213582] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Exposure to artificial stone machining, under the conditions in which marble workers work with this new product, can cause silicosis. OBJECTIVE To examine the experiences of marble workers affected, both in workshop and during home installation of countertops, before diagnosis of silicosis. METHODS Qualitative study in which 10 open-ended semistructured interviews were conducted with marble workers diagnosed with silicosis after machining artificial stone countertops in Cádiz, Spain. Interviews were recorded, transcribed, and coded using a directed content analysis. Codes were organized into themes. RESULTS Interviews up to 120 minutes and transcript analysis revealed three themes: 1) Heavy exposure for piecework: construction boom in an environment of labor deregulation and high demand for the novel product; 2) Poor working conditions: dry machining of artificial stone without proper protection in the workshop and greater exposure during home installation of countertops; 3) Concatenated legal transgressions: deficiencies in prevention and health surveillance without safety conditions for the correct handling of artificial stone. CONCLUSIONS The fight against an emerging occupational disease-artificial stone silicosis-should focus on detecting affected workers and avoiding new cases, forcing joint efforts to achieve rigorous compliance with health surveillance and protecting marble workers to achieve healthy and safe workplaces.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - José Pedro Novalbos-Ruiz
- Biomedicine, Biotechnology and Public Health Department, University of Cádiz, Cádiz, Spain.,Biomedical Research and Innovation Institute of Cádiz (INiBICA), Cádiz, Spain
| | - Antonio León-Jiménez
- Pulmonology, Alergology and Thoracic Surgery Service, University Hospital of Puerta del Mar, Cádiz, Spain.,Biomedical Research and Innovation Institute of Cádiz (INiBICA), Cádiz, Spain
| | - Juan Antonio Córdoba-Doña
- Preventive Medicine and Public Health Service, University Hospital of Jerez de la Frontera, Cádiz, Spain.,Biomedical Research and Innovation Institute of Cádiz (INiBICA), Cádiz, Spain
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24
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Blanco-Pérez JJ, Arnalich-Montiel V, Salgado-Barreira Á, Alvarez-Moure MA, Caldera-Díaz AC, Melero-Gonzalez R, Pallarés-Sanmartín A, Fernandez-Villar A, González-Barcala FJ. Prevalence and clinical impact of systemic autoimmune rheumatic disease in patients with silicosis. Arch Bronconeumol 2021; 57:571-576. [PMID: 35702913 DOI: 10.1016/j.arbr.2021.06.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2020] [Accepted: 04/16/2020] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Silicosis is associated with an increased risk of developing systemic autoimmune rheumatic disease (SARD). The prognostic implications of this association are poorly characterized. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of SARD and autoimmune markers in a cohort of patients with exposure to silica and assess their impact on prognosis. METHOD We performed a prospective observational study of all patients attending the dedicated silicosis clinic of our pulmonology unit between 2009 and December 2017. Diagnosis was confirmed by a rheumatologist according to Spanish Rheumatology Society criteria. Autoimmune markers, pulmonary function tests, radiological progression, visits to the emergency department and primary care center, and hospital admissions for respiratory causes, and mortality were analyzed. RESULTS Overall, 489 cases of silicosis and 95 cases of exposure were studied. In total, 54 (11.0%) patients with silicosis had SARD: 12 (2.4%) rheumatoid arthritis, 10 (2.0%) systemic lupus erythematosus, 10 (2.0%) systemic sclerosis, 3 (0.6%) Sjögren syndrome, 2 (0.4%) vasculitis associated with anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies (ANCA +), 6 (1.2%) psoriatic arthritis, 3 (0.6%) ankylosing spondylitis, and 8 (1.6%) other autoimmune diseases with no special features. The patients with SARD visited the emergency room more often (63.0% vs. 42.5%; p = 0.004), and progressed more rapidly (22.2 vs. 11.7%; p = 0.030). CONCLUSIONS The presence of systemic rheumatic autoimmune diseases involves radiological progression and a higher clinical impact.
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Affiliation(s)
- José Jesús Blanco-Pérez
- Servicio de Neumoloxía, Hospital Álvaro Cunqueiro, Complexo Hospitalario Universitario de Vigo, Spain; IRIDIS Group (Investigation in Rheumatology and Immuno-Mediated Diseases) del Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Galicia Sur, Vigo, Spain.
| | - Victoria Arnalich-Montiel
- Servicio de Neumoloxía, Hospital Álvaro Cunqueiro, Complexo Hospitalario Universitario de Vigo, Spain
| | - Ángel Salgado-Barreira
- Unidad de Metodología y Estadística, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Galicia Sur, Vigo, Spain
| | - María Angel Alvarez-Moure
- Servicio de Radiología, Hospital Álvaro Cunqueiro, Complexo Hospitalario Universitario de Vigo, Spain
| | | | - Rafael Melero-Gonzalez
- Servicio de Reumatología, Hospital Álvaro Cunqueiro de Vigo, Complexo Hospitalario Universitario de Vigo, Spain
| | - Abel Pallarés-Sanmartín
- Servicio de Neumoloxía, Hospital Álvaro Cunqueiro, Complexo Hospitalario Universitario de Vigo, Spain
| | - Alberto Fernandez-Villar
- Servicio de Neumoloxía, Hospital Álvaro Cunqueiro, Complexo Hospitalario Universitario de Vigo, Spain
| | - Francisco Javier González-Barcala
- Servicio de Neumoloxía, Complexo Hospitalario Universitario de Santiago de Compostela, Spanish Biomedical Research Networking Centre-CIBERES, A Coruña, Spain
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25
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Current Concepts in Pathogenesis, Diagnosis, and Management of Silicosis and Its Subtypes. CURRENT PULMONOLOGY REPORTS 2021. [DOI: 10.1007/s13665-021-00279-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
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26
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Fireman E, Mahamed AE, Rosengarten D, Noach Ophir N, Kramer MR. Quantitation of Silica Contents in Lung Explants of Transplanted Patients: Artificial Stone-Induced Silicosis vs. Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2021; 18:ijerph18147237. [PMID: 34299685 PMCID: PMC8304914 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph18147237] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2021] [Revised: 06/27/2021] [Accepted: 07/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Spectrophotometric techniques provide qualitative but not quantitative data on lung particles. We aimed to quantitate silica content in biopsies of lung-transplanted silicosis patients by applying X-ray fluorescence (XRF) spectrometry. Lung biopsies of 17 lung-transplanted artificial patients were quantitated for silica and other minerals particles by Niton XL3 XRF spectrometry. Occupational and clinical history data were assessed. Lung biopsies of artificial stone-induced silicosis (ASIS) patients contained significantly higher levels of silica compared to those of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) patients (7284.29 ± 4693.75 ppm vs. 898.88 ± 365.66 ppm, p < 0.0001). Silica content correlated negatively with age, body mass index, and pulmonary function test results. A 1128 ppm silica cut-off value yielded 100% sensitivity and 94% specificity for predicting ASIS (AUC = 0.94, p < 0.0001). In conclusion, XRF measurements in lung biopsies can differentiate between silica and mineral particles in ASIS and IPF.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth Fireman
- Laboratory for Pulmonary and Allergic Diseases, Tel-Aviv Medical Centre, Tel-Aviv 6423906, Israel; (A.E.M.); (N.N.O.)
- Environmental and Occupational Medicine, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel-Aviv University, Tel-Aviv 6997801, Israel
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +972-3-6973-988; Fax: +972-3-6947-264
| | - Abed Elrahman Mahamed
- Laboratory for Pulmonary and Allergic Diseases, Tel-Aviv Medical Centre, Tel-Aviv 6423906, Israel; (A.E.M.); (N.N.O.)
- Environmental and Occupational Medicine, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel-Aviv University, Tel-Aviv 6997801, Israel
- Institute of Pulmonary Diseases, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel-Aviv University, Petah Tekvah 4947492, Israel; (D.R.); (M.R.K.)
- Rabin Medical Centre, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel-Aviv University, Petah Tekvah 4947492, Israel
| | - Dror Rosengarten
- Institute of Pulmonary Diseases, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel-Aviv University, Petah Tekvah 4947492, Israel; (D.R.); (M.R.K.)
- Rabin Medical Centre, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel-Aviv University, Petah Tekvah 4947492, Israel
| | - Noa Noach Ophir
- Laboratory for Pulmonary and Allergic Diseases, Tel-Aviv Medical Centre, Tel-Aviv 6423906, Israel; (A.E.M.); (N.N.O.)
- Environmental and Occupational Medicine, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel-Aviv University, Tel-Aviv 6997801, Israel
| | - Mordechai Reuven Kramer
- Institute of Pulmonary Diseases, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel-Aviv University, Petah Tekvah 4947492, Israel; (D.R.); (M.R.K.)
- Rabin Medical Centre, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel-Aviv University, Petah Tekvah 4947492, Israel
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27
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Yates DH, Perret JL, Davidson M, Miles SE, Musk AW. Dust diseases in modern Australia: a discussion of the new TSANZ position statement on respiratory surveillance. Med J Aust 2021; 215:13-15.e1. [PMID: 34053078 DOI: 10.5694/mja2.51097] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Deborah H Yates
- St Vincent's Hospital, Sydney, NSW.,St Vincent's Clinical School, UNSW, Sydney, NSW
| | - Jennifer L Perret
- Allergy and Lung Health Unit, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC
| | | | - Susan E Miles
- Calvary Mater Newcastle, Newcastle, NSW.,University of Newcastle, Newcastle, NSW
| | - A W Musk
- University of Western Australia, Perth, WA
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28
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Requena-Mullor M, Alarcón-Rodríguez R, Parrón-Carreño T, Martínez-López JJ, Lozano-Paniagua D, Hernández AF. Association between Crystalline Silica Dust Exposure and Silicosis Development in Artificial Stone Workers. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2021; 18:ijerph18115625. [PMID: 34070293 PMCID: PMC8197517 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph18115625] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2021] [Revised: 05/12/2021] [Accepted: 05/20/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Occupational exposure to respirable crystalline silica (SiO2) is one of the most common and serious risks because of the health consequences for the workers involved. Silicosis is a progressive, irreversible, and incurable fibrotic lung disease caused by the inhalation of respirable crystalline silica dust. A cross-sectional epidemiological study was carried out to assess the occupational risk factors that may contribute to the onset of silicosis in workers carrying out work activities with the inhalation of silica compact dust. The study population consisted of 311 artificial stone workers from the province of Almeria (southeast of Spain). Among them, 64 were previously diagnosed with silicosis and the rest of the participants (n = 247 workers) were not diagnosed with such a disease. The workers showing a greater risk of developing silicosis were those who installed kitchen worktops at consumers’ homes, as they did not use face-masks or were not provided with personal protective equipment (PPE) by their business. The results of this study provide support for the evidence indicating that silicosis is a major emerging health concern for workers in the artificial stone sector. Exposure to crystalline silica dust thus can influence the development of silicosis in those cases where individual and collective protection measures are not used or adequately applied.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mar Requena-Mullor
- Department of Nursing, Physiotherapy and Medicine, University of Almería, 04120 Almería, Spain; (M.R.-M.); (T.P.-C.); (D.L.-P.)
| | - Raquel Alarcón-Rodríguez
- Department of Nursing, Physiotherapy and Medicine, University of Almería, 04120 Almería, Spain; (M.R.-M.); (T.P.-C.); (D.L.-P.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +34-950-214-606
| | - Tesifón Parrón-Carreño
- Department of Nursing, Physiotherapy and Medicine, University of Almería, 04120 Almería, Spain; (M.R.-M.); (T.P.-C.); (D.L.-P.)
| | | | - David Lozano-Paniagua
- Department of Nursing, Physiotherapy and Medicine, University of Almería, 04120 Almería, Spain; (M.R.-M.); (T.P.-C.); (D.L.-P.)
| | - Antonio F. Hernández
- Department of Legal Medicine and Toxicology, University of Granada School of Medicine, 18016 Granada, Spain;
- Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria, Granada (ibs.GRANADA), 18012 Madrid, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), 18080 Madrid, Spain
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29
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Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW This review details recent findings related to the health effects of occupational exposure to artificial stone dust and the rapid increase in cases of artificial stone associated silicosis around the world. RECENT FINDINGS High crystalline silica content artificial stone is now commonly used for the production of kitchen benchtops. Reports of artificial stone silicosis from many countries have noted that workers were typically employed at small workplaces and were often diagnosed in their 30s or 40s. Poor exposure control measures were common, including the practice of 'dry processing'. Dust generated from artificial stone has been noted to have properties that influence toxicity, including high silica content, generation of nanosized particles and presence of metals and resins. Artificial stone silicosis differs from silicosis associated with other occupational settings including shorter latency and rapid disease progression. High-resolution computed tomography (CT) chest imaging of artificial stone silicosis has often noted the presence of ground glass opacities, which may not be detected in chest x-ray screening. Increased prevalence of autoimmune disease, such as scleroderma, has also been reported in this industry. SUMMARY Further evaluation of the safety of work with artificial stone is required, including the effectiveness of dust control measures. Current reports of artificial stone silicosis indicate the potential for widespread undiagnosed respiratory disease in this industry. Provision of more sensitive health screening methods for all at-risk workers and the development of new treatment options particularly for this form of silicosis is urgently required.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryan F Hoy
- School of Public Health & Preventive Medicine Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
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30
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Ma Q, Pollard KM, Brown JM, Italiani P, Moghimi SM. Editorial: Immune Mechanisms in the Pathologic Response to Particles, Fibers, and Nanomaterials. Front Immunol 2021; 12:665810. [PMID: 33815427 PMCID: PMC8017123 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.665810] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2021] [Accepted: 02/24/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Qiang Ma
- Health Effects Laboratory Division, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Morgantown, WV, United States
| | - Kenneth Michael Pollard
- Department of Molecular Medicine, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, United States
| | - Jared M Brown
- Skaggs School of Pharmacy, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, United States
| | - Paola Italiani
- Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, National Research Council (CNR), Naples, Italy
| | - Seyed Moein Moghimi
- School of Pharmacy, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom
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31
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Pollard KM. Perspective: The Lung, Particles, Fibers, Nanomaterials, and Autoimmunity. Front Immunol 2020; 11:587136. [PMID: 33391263 PMCID: PMC7775503 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2020.587136] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2020] [Accepted: 11/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Studies have shown that a wide range of factors including drugs, chemicals, microbes, and other environmental agents can induce pre-clinical autoimmunity. However, only a few have been confidently linked to autoimmune diseases. Among these are exposures to inhaled particulates that are known to be associated with autoimmune diseases such as lupus and rheumatoid arthritis. In this article, the potential of particle, fiber, and nanomaterial exposures to induce autoimmunity is discussed. It is hypothesized that inhalation of particulate material known to be associated with human autoimmune diseases, such as cigarette smoke and crystalline silica, results in a complex interplay of a number of pathological processes, including, toxicity, oxidative stress, cell and tissue damage, chronic inflammation, post-translational modification of self-antigens, and the formation of lymphoid follicles that provide a milieu for the accumulation of autoreactive B and T cells necessary for the development and persistence of autoimmune responses, leading to disease. Although experimental studies show nanomaterials are capable of inducing several of the above features, there is no evidence that this matures to autoimmune disease. The procession of events hypothesized here provides a foundation from which to pursue experimental studies to determine the potential of other environmental exposures to induce autoimmunity and autoimmune disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- K Michael Pollard
- Department of Molecular Medicine, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, United States
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32
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Hoy RF, Chambers DC. Silica-related diseases in the modern world. Allergy 2020; 75:2805-2817. [PMID: 31989662 DOI: 10.1111/all.14202] [Citation(s) in RCA: 183] [Impact Index Per Article: 45.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2019] [Revised: 12/20/2019] [Accepted: 01/08/2020] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Silicosis is an ancient and potentially fatal pneumoconiosis caused by exposure to respirable crystalline silica. Silicosis is historically a disease of miners; however, failure to recognize and control the risk associated with silica exposure in contemporary work practices such as sandblasting denim jeans and manufacturing of artificial stone benchtops has led to re-emergence of silicosis around the world. This review outlines the mineralogy, epidemiology, clinical and radiological features of the various forms of silicosis and other silica-associated diseases. Perspective is provided on the most recent studies shedding light on pathogenesis, including the central role of innate immune effector cells and subsequent inflammatory cascades in propagating pulmonary fibrosis and the extrapulmonary manifestations, which uniquely characterize this pneumoconiosis. Clinical conundrums in differential diagnosis, particularly between silicosis and sarcoidosis, are highlighted, as is the importance of obtaining a careful occupational history in the patient presenting with pulmonary infiltrates and/or fibrosis. While silicosis is a completely preventable disease, unfortunately workers around the world continue to be affected and experience progressive or even fatal disease. Although no treatments have been proven, opportunities to intervene to prevent progressive disease, founded in a thorough cellular and molecular understanding of the immunopathology of silicosis, are highlighted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryan F. Hoy
- Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine Monash University Melbourne VIC. Australia
- Department of Respiratory Medicine Alfred Hospital Melbourne VIC. Australia
| | - Daniel C. Chambers
- School of Clinical Medicine The University of Queensland Brisbane QLD Australia
- Queensland Lung Transplant Program The Prince Charles Hospital Brisbane QLD Australia
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33
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Altundaş Hatman E, Acar Karagül D, Kılıçaslan Z. Rheumatological Diseases in Denim Sandblasters with Silicosis: What Should Pulmonologists Look for? Turk Thorac J 2020; 21:446-450. [PMID: 33352101 DOI: 10.5152/turkthoracj.2019.19055] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2019] [Accepted: 08/31/2019] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Silica exposure is not only the cause of silicosis, also associated rheumatological diseases like rheumatoid arthritis (RA), systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), and systemic sclerosis (SSc). This report will reveal the rheumatological diseases of silicosis patients who were exposed to silica while working as denim sandblasters. Additionally, we will describe some clinical and laboratory findings that will help pulmonologist suspect, recognize and manage rheumatological diseases related to silica exposure in patients with silicosis. MATERIAL AND METHODS We reviewed the records of 142 sandblasters diagnosed with silicosis and found ten silicosis cases who also had rheumatological diseases between the years 2009 and 2017. The occupational characteristics, serological, functional and radiological data, were collected for patients of silicosis with rheumatological diseases. RESULTS Ten silicosis patients with concomitant rheumatological diseases were found. Six patients among our cases had diagnosed SSc (4.2%), three of them had RA (2.1%), and one of them was being monitored for SLE (0.7%). The mean silica exposure time of the cases was 4.3±1.9 years (min: 1 max: 8). We also found elevated LD, sedimentation and CRP levels in our cases. CONCLUSION It should be kept in mind that, in silicosis cases with arthralgia, joint tenderness or sclerosis at the fingertips may be indicative of rheumatological diseases related to silica exposure, and in these cases, the unexplained elevations of sedimentation and CRP levels may also be a result of silica-induced rheumatological diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elif Altundaş Hatman
- Department of Occupational Medicine, İstanbul Yedikule Chest Diseases and Thoracic Surgery Training and Research Hospital, İstanbul, Turkey
| | - Duygu Acar Karagül
- Department of Public Health, Occupational Health Training Programme, İstanbul University School of Medicine, İstanbul, Turkey
| | - Zeki Kılıçaslan
- Department of Pulmonary Medicine, İstanbul University School of Medicine, İstanbul, Turkey
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34
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Hoy RF, Glass DC, Dimitriadis C, Hansen J, Hore-Lacy F, Sim MR. Identification of early-stage silicosis through health screening of stone benchtop industry workers in Victoria, Australia. Occup Environ Med 2020; 78:296-302. [PMID: 33115923 DOI: 10.1136/oemed-2020-106897] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2020] [Revised: 09/21/2020] [Accepted: 10/02/2020] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES The popularity of high silica content artificial stone has been associated with emergence of severe, progressive silicosis as a major health issue affecting workers in the stone benchtop industry. This population-based health assessment programme has been implemented with the aim of identifcation of silica-associated disease at a preclinical stage. METHODS All current and former workers from the stone benchtop industry in the State of Victoria are offered free health assessments. Primary evaluations include a standardised questionnaire, physical examination, spirometry and gas transfer assessment and International Labour Organisation-categorised chest X-ray. Secondary evaluations include high-resolution CT chest, blood tests and a respiratory physician evaluation. RESULTS At the end of the first 12 months, 86/239 (36%) workers who had completed secondary evaluation were diagnosed with silicosis (65 simple silicosis and 21 complicated silicosis). 22 had worked in the industry for less than 10 years at the time of diagnosis. Of those with simple silicosis, 80% of workers reported breathlessness only with strenuous exercise (modified Medical Research Council score of 0), and lung function was well preserved (prebronchodilator forced vital capacity mean 99.8% predicted (SD 13.6), diffusion capacity of the lung for carbon monoxide mean 96.2% predicted (SD 18.0)). Antinuclear antibodies were detected in 37% with silicosis and 24% without silicosis. CONCLUSION Early results from this comprehensive health assessment programme have indicated a high proportion of referred artificial stone benchtop workers have silicosis, including many with early-stage disease. The common finding of antinuclear antibodies suggest significant potential for autoimmune disease in this occupational group.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryan F Hoy
- School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences. Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Deborah C Glass
- School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences. Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Christina Dimitriadis
- School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences. Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Jessy Hansen
- School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences. Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Fiona Hore-Lacy
- School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences. Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Malcolm R Sim
- School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences. Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
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Ballerie A, Cavalin C, Lederlin M, Nicolas A, Garlantézec R, Jouneau S, Lecureur V, Cazalets C, Belhomme N, Paris C, Rosental PA, Jégo P, Lescoat A. Association of silica exposure with chest HRCT and clinical characteristics in systemic sclerosis. Semin Arthritis Rheum 2020; 50:949-956. [DOI: 10.1016/j.semarthrit.2020.08.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2020] [Revised: 08/06/2020] [Accepted: 08/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
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36
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Pollard KM, Cauvi DM, Mayeux JM, Toomey CB, Peiss AK, Hultman P, Kono DH. Mechanisms of Environment-Induced Autoimmunity. Annu Rev Pharmacol Toxicol 2020; 61:135-157. [PMID: 32857688 DOI: 10.1146/annurev-pharmtox-031320-111453] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Although numerous environmental exposures have been suggested as triggers for preclinical autoimmunity, only a few have been confidently linked to autoimmune diseases. For disease-associated exposures, the lung is a common site where chronic exposure results in cellular toxicity, tissue damage, inflammation, and fibrosis. These features are exacerbated by exposures to particulate material, which hampers clearance and degradation, thus facilitating persistent inflammation. Coincident with exposure and resulting pathological processes is the posttranslational modification of self-antigens, which, in concert with the formation of tertiary lymphoid structures containing abundant B cells, is thought to promote the generation of autoantibodies that in some instances demonstrate major histocompatibility complex restriction. Under appropriate gene-environment interactions, these responses can have diagnostic specificity. Greater insight into the molecular and cellular requirements governing this process, especially those that distinguish preclinical autoimmunity from clinical autoimmunedisease, may facilitate determination of the significance of environmental exposures in human autoimmune disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- K Michael Pollard
- Department of Molecular Medicine, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California 92037, USA;
| | - David M Cauvi
- Department of Surgery, University of California San Diego School of Medicine, La Jolla, California 92093, USA
| | - Jessica M Mayeux
- Department of Molecular Medicine, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California 92037, USA;
| | - Christopher B Toomey
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California 92093, USA
| | - Amy K Peiss
- Department of Molecular Medicine, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California 92037, USA;
| | - Per Hultman
- Departments of Clinical Pathology and Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, Linköping University, SE-581 85 Linköping, Sweden
| | - Dwight H Kono
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California 92037, USA
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37
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Ma Q. Polarization of Immune Cells in the Pathologic Response to Inhaled Particulates. Front Immunol 2020; 11:1060. [PMID: 32625201 PMCID: PMC7311785 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2020.01060] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2019] [Accepted: 05/01/2020] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Polarization of immune cells is commonly observed in host responses associated with microbial immunity, inflammation, tumorigenesis, and tissue repair and fibrosis. In this process, immune cells adopt distinct programs and perform specialized functions in response to specific signals. Accumulating evidence indicates that inhalation of micro- and nano-sized particulates activates barrier immune programs in the lung in a time- and context-dependent manner, including type 1 and type 2 inflammation, and T helper (Th) 17 cell, regulatory T cell (Treg), innate lymphoid cell (ILC), and myeloid-derived suppressor cell (MDSC) responses, which highlight the polarization of several major immune cell types. These responses facilitate the pulmonary clearance and repair under physiological conditions. When exposure persists and overwhelms the clearance capacity, they foster the chronic progression of inflammation and development of progressive disease conditions, such as fibrosis and cancer. The pulmonary response to insoluble particulates thus represents a distinctive disease process wherein non-infectious, persistent exposures stimulate the polarization of immune cells to orchestrate dynamic inflammatory and immune reactions, leading to pulmonary and pleural chronic inflammation, fibrosis, and malignancy. Despite large variations in particles and their associated disease outcomes, the early response to inhaled particles often follows a common path. The initial reactions entail a barrier immune response dominated by type 1 inflammation that features active phagocytosis by M1 macrophages and recruitment of neutrophils, both of which are fueled by Th1 and proinflammatory cytokines. Acute inflammation is immediately followed by resolution and tissue repair mediated through specialized pro-resolving mediators (SPMs) and type 2 cytokines and cells including M2 macrophages and Th2 lymphocytes. As many particles and fibers cannot be digested by phagocytes, resolution is often extended and incomplete, and type 2 inflammation becomes heightened, which promotes interstitial fibrosis, granuloma formation, and tumorigenesis. Recent studies also reveal the involvement of Th17-, Treg-, ILC-, and MDSC-mediated responses in the pathogenesis caused by inhaled particulates. This review synopsizes the progress in understanding the interplay between inhaled particles and the pulmonary immune functions in disease pathogenesis, with focus on particle-induced polarization of immune cells and its role in the development of chronic inflammation, fibrosis, and cancer in the lung.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiang Ma
- Receptor Biology Laboratory, Toxicology and Molecular Biology Branch, Health Effects Laboratory Division, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Morgantown, WV, United States
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Blanco Pérez JJ, Arnalich Montiel V, Salgado-Barreira Á, Alvarez Moure MA, Caldera Díaz AC, Melero Gonzalez R, Pallarés Sanmartín A, Fernandez Villar A, González Barcala FJ. Prevalence and Clinical Impact of Systemic Autoimmune Rheumatic Disease in Patients with Silicosis. Arch Bronconeumol 2020; 57:S0300-2896(20)30129-0. [PMID: 32493645 DOI: 10.1016/j.arbres.2020.04.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2020] [Revised: 04/15/2020] [Accepted: 04/16/2020] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Silicosis is associated with an increased risk of developing systemic autoimmune rheumatic disease (SARD). The prognostic implications of this association are poorly characterized. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of SARD and autoimmune markers in a cohort of patients with exposure to silica and assess their impact on prognosis. METHOD We performed a prospective observational study of all patients attending the dedicated silicosis clinic of our pulmonology unit between 2009 and December 2017. Diagnosis was confirmed by a rheumatologist according to Spanish Rheumatology Society criteria. Autoimmune markers, pulmonary function tests, radiological progression, visits to the emergency department and primary care center, and hospital admissions for respiratory causes, and mortality were analyzed. RESULTS Overall, 489 cases of silicosis and 95 cases of exposure were studied. In total, 54 (11.0%) patients with silicosis had SARD: 12 (2.4%) rheumatoid arthritis, 10 (2.0%) systemic lupus erythematosus, 10 (2.0%) systemic sclerosis, 3 (0.6%) Sjögren syndrome, 2 (0.4%) vasculitis associated with anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies (ANCA +), 6 (1.2%) psoriatic arthritis, 3 (0.6%) ankylosing spondylitis, and 8 (1.6%) other autoimmune diseases with no special features. The patients with SARD visited the emergency room more often (63.0 vs. 42.5%; p = 0.004), and progressed more rapidly (22.2 vs. 11.7%; p = 0.030). CONCLUSIONS The presence of systemic rheumatic autoimmune diseases involves radiological progression and a higher clinical impact.
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Affiliation(s)
- José Jesús Blanco Pérez
- Servicio de Neumoloxía. Hospital Álvaro Cunqueiro. Complexo Hospitalario Universitario de Vigo, España; IRIDIS Group (Investigation in Rheumatology and Immuno-Mediated Diseases) del Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Galicia Sur, Vigo, España.
| | - Victoria Arnalich Montiel
- Servicio de Neumoloxía. Hospital Álvaro Cunqueiro. Complexo Hospitalario Universitario de Vigo, España
| | - Ángel Salgado-Barreira
- Unidad de Metodología y Estadística. Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Galicia Sur, Vigo, España
| | - María Angel Alvarez Moure
- Servicio de Radiología. Hospital Álvaro Cunqueiro. Complexo Hospitalario Universitario de Vigo, España
| | | | - Rafael Melero Gonzalez
- Servicio de Reumatología. Hospital Álvaro Cunqueiro de Vigo. Complexo Hospitalario Universitario de Vigo, España
| | - Abel Pallarés Sanmartín
- Servicio de Neumoloxía. Hospital Álvaro Cunqueiro. Complexo Hospitalario Universitario de Vigo, España
| | - Alberto Fernandez Villar
- Servicio de Neumoloxía. Hospital Álvaro Cunqueiro. Complexo Hospitalario Universitario de Vigo, España
| | - Francisco Javier González Barcala
- Servicio de Neumoloxía. Complexo Hospitalario Universitario de Santiago de Compostela; Spanish Biomedical Research Networking Centre-CIBERES, A Coruña, España
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Wu N, Xue C, Yu S, Ye Q. Artificial stone-associated silicosis in China: A prospective comparison with natural stone-associated silicosis. Respirology 2020; 25:518-524. [PMID: 31828940 PMCID: PMC7187561 DOI: 10.1111/resp.13744] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2019] [Revised: 10/23/2019] [Accepted: 10/28/2019] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE We recently noted a dramatic increase in the number of patients with accelerated silicosis associated with exposure to artificial stone dust. Therefore, the natural history of artificial stone-associated silicosis was compared with that of natural stone-associated silicosis. METHODS A total of 18 patients with artificial stone-associated silicosis and 63 with natural stone-associated silicosis were diagnosed sequentially in 2018 and followed up for a period of 6-12 months. Data were collected from clinical charts. RESULTS The median duration of exposure prior to onset of symptoms of silicosis was shorter for patients who had been exposed to artificial stone dust (6.4 vs 29.3 years, P < 0.01). Four of the 18 patients experienced rapid deterioration in lung function over the follow-up period, with declines in pre-bronchodilator FVC of 587 (210-960) mL/year and FEV1 of 625 (360-860) mL/year. GGO, PMF, emphysema and pulmonary artery widening were more frequently observed on computed tomography scans of patients with artificial stone-associated silicosis than of those with natural stone-associated silicosis. Approximately 38.9% of the patients with artificial stone-associated silicosis were lung transplant candidates and 27.8% died, both rates being significantly higher than in patients with natural stone-associated silicosis (3.2% and 0%, both P < 0.01). CONCLUSION Compared to natural stone-associated silicosis, artificial stone-associated silicosis was characterized by short latency, rapid radiological progression, accelerated decline in lung function and high mortality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Na Wu
- Department of Occupational Medicine and Toxicology, Clinical Center for Interstitial Lung DiseasesBeijing Chao‐Yang Hospital, Capital Medical UniversityBeijingChina
| | - Changjiang Xue
- Department of Occupational Medicine and Toxicology, Clinical Center for Interstitial Lung DiseasesBeijing Chao‐Yang Hospital, Capital Medical UniversityBeijingChina
| | - Shiwen Yu
- Department of Occupational Medicine and Toxicology, Clinical Center for Interstitial Lung DiseasesBeijing Chao‐Yang Hospital, Capital Medical UniversityBeijingChina
| | - Qiao Ye
- Department of Occupational Medicine and Toxicology, Clinical Center for Interstitial Lung DiseasesBeijing Chao‐Yang Hospital, Capital Medical UniversityBeijingChina
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40
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Turner MT, Samuel SR, Silverstone EJ, Yates DH. Silica Exposure and Connective Tissue Disease: An Underrecognized Association in Three Australian Artificial Stone Workers. Am J Respir Crit Care Med 2020; 201:378-380. [DOI: 10.1164/rccm.201905-1057le] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
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41
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Hoy R, Chambers DC. Silicosis: An ancient disease in need of a dose of modern medicine. Respirology 2020; 25:464-465. [PMID: 31970870 DOI: 10.1111/resp.13766] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2019] [Accepted: 01/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Ryan Hoy
- Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, School of Public Health, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Daniel C Chambers
- School of Clinical Medicine, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
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42
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Ophir N, Bar Shai A, Korenstein R, Kramer MR, Fireman E. Functional, inflammatory and interstitial impairment due to artificial stone dust ultrafine particles exposure. Occup Environ Med 2019; 76:875-879. [PMID: 31562234 PMCID: PMC6902064 DOI: 10.1136/oemed-2019-105711] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2019] [Revised: 07/09/2019] [Accepted: 08/17/2019] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Artificial stone dust (ASD) contains high levels of ultrafine particles (UFP <1 µm) which penetrate deeply into the lungs. This study aimed to demonstrate the direct effect of UFP in the lungs of ASD-exposed workers on functional inflammatory and imaging parameters. METHODS 68 workers with up to 20 years of ASD exposure at the workplace were recruited from small enterprises throughout the country and compared with 48 non-exposed individuals. Pulmonary function test (PFT), CT, induced sputum (IS) and cytokine analyses were performed by conventional methods. The CT scans were evaluated for features indicative of silicosis in three zones of each lung. UFP were quantitated by the NanoSight LM20 system (NanoSight, Salisbury) using the Nanoparticle Tracking Analysis. Interleukin (IL)-6, IL-8 and tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) levels were measured by Luminex (R&D Systems). RESULTS Thirty-four patients had CT scores between 0 and 42, and 29 of them were diagnosed with silicosis. Content of the UFP retrieved from IS supernatants correlated negatively with the PFT results (total lung capacity r=-0.347, p=0.011; forced expiratory volume in 1 s r=-0.299, p=0.046; diffusion lung carbon monoxide in a single breath r=-0.425, p=0.004) and with the CT score (r=0.378, p=0.023), and with the inflammatory cytokines IL-8 (r=0.336, p=0.024), IL-6 (r=0.294, p=0.065) and TNF-α (r=0.409, p=0.007). Raw material of ASD was left to sedimentate in water for <15 min, and 50% of the floating particles were UFP. A cut-off of 8×106 UFP/mL in IS samples had a sensitivity of 77% to predict pulmonary disease. CONCLUSIONS This is the first demonstration of an association between UFP-related decreased PFT results, worsening of CT findings and elevation of inflammatory cytokines, which may be attributed to high-dose inhalation of UFP of ASD at the workplace.
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Affiliation(s)
- Noa Ophir
- Laboratory of Pulmonary and Allergic Diseases, Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Tel Aviv, Israel
- Environmental and Occupational Medicine, Sackler School of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Amir Bar Shai
- Laboratory of Pulmonary and Allergic Diseases, Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Rafi Korenstein
- Physiology - Pharmacology Department, Sackler School of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Mordechai R Kramer
- Pulmonary Institute, Rabin Medical Center, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Elizabeth Fireman
- Laboratory of Pulmonary and Allergic Diseases, Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Tel Aviv, Israel
- Environmental and Occupational Medicine, Sackler School of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
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Évaluation de l’exposition des paysagistes à la silice : étude descriptive auprès des entreprises du secteur du paysage d’Ille-et-Vilaine et du Morbihan. ARCH MAL PROF ENVIRO 2019. [DOI: 10.1016/j.admp.2019.07.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
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44
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Blanc PD. What has been done will be done again. Respirology 2019; 24:1125-1126. [DOI: 10.1111/resp.13724] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2019] [Accepted: 10/16/2019] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Paul D. Blanc
- Division of Occupational and Environmental MedicineUniversity of California San Francisco San Francisco CA USA
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45
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Rose C, Heinzerling A, Patel K, Sack C, Wolff J, Zell-Baran L, Weissman D, Hall E, Sooriash R, McCarthy RB, Bojes H, Korotzer B, Flattery J, Weinberg JL, Potocko J, Jones KD, Reeb-Whitaker CK, Reul NK, LaSee CR, Materna BL, Raghu G, Harrison R. Severe Silicosis in Engineered Stone Fabrication Workers - California, Colorado, Texas, and Washington, 2017-2019. MMWR. MORBIDITY AND MORTALITY WEEKLY REPORT 2019; 68:813-818. [PMID: 31557149 PMCID: PMC6762184 DOI: 10.15585/mmwr.mm6838a1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 72] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/03/2022]
Abstract
Silicosis is an incurable occupational lung disease caused by inhaling particles of respirable crystalline silica. These particles trigger inflammation and fibrosis in the lungs, leading to progressive, irreversible, and potentially disabling disease. Silica exposure is also associated with increased risk for lung infection (notably, tuberculosis), lung cancer, emphysema, autoimmune diseases, and kidney disease (1). Because quartz, a type of crystalline silica, is commonly found in stone, workers who cut, polish, or grind stone materials can be exposed to silica dust. Recently, silicosis outbreaks have been reported in several countries among workers who cut and finish stone slabs for countertops, a process known as stone fabrication (2-5). Most worked with engineered stone, a manufactured, quartz-based composite material that can contain >90% crystalline silica (6). This report describes 18 cases of silicosis, including the first two fatalities reported in the United States, among workers in the stone fabrication industry in California, Colorado, Texas, and Washington. Several patients had severe progressive disease, and some had associated autoimmune diseases and latent tuberculosis infection. Cases were identified through independent investigations in each state and confirmed based on computed tomography (CT) scan of the chest or lung biopsy findings. Silica dust exposure reduction and effective regulatory enforcement, along with enhanced workplace medical and public health surveillance, are urgently needed to address the emerging public health threat of silicosis in the stone fabrication industry.
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Barnes H, Goh NSL, Leong TL, Hoy R. Silica-associated lung disease: An old-world exposure in modern industries. Respirology 2019; 24:1165-1175. [PMID: 31517432 DOI: 10.1111/resp.13695] [Citation(s) in RCA: 164] [Impact Index Per Article: 32.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2019] [Revised: 08/19/2019] [Accepted: 08/20/2019] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Despite silica dust exposure being one of the earliest recognized causes of lung disease, Australia, USA, Israel, Turkey and other countries around the world have recently experienced significant outbreaks of silicosis. These outbreaks have occurred in modern industries such as denim jean production, domestic benchtop fabrication and jewellery polishing, where silica has been introduced without recognition and control of the hazard. Much of our understanding of silica-related lung disease is derived from traditional occupations such as mining, whereby workers may develop slowly progressive chronic silicosis. However, workers in modern industries are developing acute and accelerated silicosis over a short period of time, due to high-intensity silica concentrations, oxidative stress from freshly fractured silica and a rapid pro-inflammatory and pro-fibrotic response. Appropriate methods of screening and diagnosis remain unclear in these workers, and a significant proportion may go on to develop respiratory failure and death. There are no current effective treatments for silicosis. For those with near fatal respiratory failure, lung transplantation remains the only option. Strategies to reduce high-intensity silica dust exposure, enforced screening programmes and the identification of new treatments are urgently required.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hayley Barnes
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Alfred Hospital, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.,Department of Respiratory Medicine, Austin Hospital, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.,Institute for Breathing and Sleep, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Nicole S L Goh
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Alfred Hospital, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.,Department of Respiratory Medicine, Austin Hospital, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.,Institute for Breathing and Sleep, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Tracy L Leong
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Austin Hospital, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.,Institute for Breathing and Sleep, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Ryan Hoy
- Department of Medicine, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.,Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
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Cavalin C, Lescoat A, Ballerie A, Belhomme N, Jégo P, Jouneau S, Lecureur V, Lederlin M, Paris C, Rosental PA. Beyond silicosis, is the world failing on silica hazards? THE LANCET RESPIRATORY MEDICINE 2019; 7:649-650. [PMID: 31109828 DOI: 10.1016/s2213-2600(19)30174-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2019] [Accepted: 04/30/2019] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Catherine Cavalin
- Interdisciplinary Research Institute for the Social Sciences, National Centre for Scientific Research-National Institute for Agricultural Research 7170-1427, Paris-Dauphine University, 75775 Paris, France.
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Di Benedetto F, Giaccherini A, Montegrossi G, Pardi LA, Zoleo A, Capolupo F, Innocenti M, Lepore GO, d'Acapito F, Capacci F, Poli C, Iaia TE, Buccianti A, Romanelli M. Chemical variability of artificial stone powders in relation to their health effects. Sci Rep 2019; 9:6531. [PMID: 31024082 PMCID: PMC6484096 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-42238-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2018] [Accepted: 03/21/2019] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
The occurrence of highly severe silica-related diseases among the resin- and silica-based artificial stone workers was claimed, associated to an extremely short latency. High levels of exposure and intrinsic properties of AS are thought to modulate the development of silicosis and auto-immune diseases. This study compares parent materials and processed dusts, to shed light on changes of AS occurring in the manufacturing process, through an XRF, EPR and XAS investigation. We point out the extremely wide variability of the materials, the occurrence of chemical signatures impressed by the processing techniques, and the unprecedented generation of stable radicals associated to the lysis of the Si-O chemical bond inside the resin coated respirable crystalline silica. These results suggest that the AS processing in industrial stone workshops can create respirable dusts with peculiar physical and chemical properties, to be correlated to the observed clinical evidences.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesco Di Benedetto
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Terra, Università degli Studi di Firenze, via La Pira 4, Firenze, Italy. .,INSTM Research Unit of Florence, Firenze, Italy.
| | - Andrea Giaccherini
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Terra, Università degli Studi di Firenze, via La Pira 4, Firenze, Italy.,INSTM Research Unit of Florence, Firenze, Italy
| | - Giordano Montegrossi
- INSTM Research Unit of Florence, Firenze, Italy.,CNR - Istituto di Geoscienze e Georisorse, via La Pira 4, Firenze, Italy
| | - Luca A Pardi
- CNR - Istituto dei Processi Chimico Fisici, via Moruzzi 1, Pisa, Italy
| | - Alfonso Zoleo
- Dipartimento di Scienze Chimiche - Università di Padova, Via Marzolo 1, Padova, Italy
| | - Ferdinando Capolupo
- Dipartimento di Chimica, Università degli Studi di Firenze, via della Lastruccia 3, Sesto Fiorentino, Italy
| | - Massimo Innocenti
- INSTM Research Unit of Florence, Firenze, Italy.,Dipartimento di Chimica, Università degli Studi di Firenze, via della Lastruccia 3, Sesto Fiorentino, Italy
| | - Giovanni O Lepore
- CNR - Istituto di Officina dei Materiali - OGG c/o, ESRF, Grenoble, France
| | | | - Fabio Capacci
- Dipartimento di Prevenzione, PISLL, Health Agency of Tuscany (USL Toscana Centro), Tuscany, Italy
| | - Carla Poli
- Dipartimento di Prevenzione, PISLL, Health Agency of Tuscany (USL Toscana Centro), Tuscany, Italy
| | - Tonina Enza Iaia
- Dipartimento di Prevenzione, PISLL, Health Agency of Tuscany (USL Toscana Centro), Tuscany, Italy
| | - Antonella Buccianti
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Terra, Università degli Studi di Firenze, via La Pira 4, Firenze, Italy.,CNR - Istituto di Geoscienze e Georisorse, via La Pira 4, Firenze, Italy
| | - Maurizio Romanelli
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Terra, Università degli Studi di Firenze, via La Pira 4, Firenze, Italy
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Artificial Stone Associated Silicosis: A Systematic Review. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2019; 16:ijerph16040568. [PMID: 30781462 PMCID: PMC6406954 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph16040568] [Citation(s) in RCA: 103] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2019] [Revised: 01/30/2019] [Accepted: 02/08/2019] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Abstract
Silicosis is a progressive fibrotic lung disease that is caused by the inhalation of respirable crystalline silica. Due to its high silica content, artificial stone (AS) can become a possible source of hazardous dust exposure for workers that are employed in the manufacturing, finishing, and installing of AS countertops. Therefore, the aim of this review was to verify the association between AS derived silica exposure and silicosis development, and also then define the pathological characteristics of the disease in relation to specific work practices and preventive and protective measures that were adopted in the workplace. A systematic review of articles available on Pubmed, Scopus, and Isi Web of Knowledge databases was performed. Although the characteristics of AS-associated silicosis were comparable to those that were reported for the disease in traditional silica exposure settings, some critical issues emerged concerning the general lack of suitable strategies for assessing/managing silica risks in these innovative occupational fields. Further research that is designed to assess the hazardous properties of AS dusts, levels of exposure in workplaces, and the effectiveness of protective equipment appears to be needed to increase awareness concerning AS risks and induce employers, employees, and all factory figures that are engaged in prevention to take action to define/adopt proper measures to protect the health of exposed workers.
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Nakládalová M, Štěpánek L, Kolek V, Žurková M, Tichý T. A case of accelerated silicosis. Occup Med (Lond) 2018; 68:482-484. [DOI: 10.1093/occmed/kqy106] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- M Nakládalová
- Department of Occupational Medicine, University Hospital Olomouc and Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, Palacký University Olomouc, Olomouc, Czech Republic
| | - L Štěpánek
- Department of Occupational Medicine, University Hospital Olomouc and Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, Palacký University Olomouc, Olomouc, Czech Republic
| | - V Kolek
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, University Hospital Olomouc and Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, Palacký University Olomouc, Olomouc, Czech Republic
| | - M Žurková
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, University Hospital Olomouc and Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, Palacký University Olomouc, Olomouc, Czech Republic
| | - T Tichý
- Department of Clinical and Molecular Pathology, University Hospital Olomouc and Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, Palacký University Olomouc, Olomouc, Czech Republic
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