Silicosis risk factors

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1] Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Aparna Vuppala, M.B.B.S. [2]

Overview

Occupational exposure is the most significant risk factor of silicosis. Excavations in mines, tunnels, quarries, and underground galleries, quarrying, cutting and polishing siliceous rock, and manufacturing of silicon-based products are all associated with increased risk of developing silicosis.

Risk Factors

The risk of developing silicosis is associated with the cumulative exposure of an individual to crystalline silica.

Accumulated silica dose = Fraction of respirable dust × % of free silica in mg/m3 × Number of years of exposure^[1]

Occupational exposure is the most significant risk factor of silicosis.

Excavations in mines, tunnels, quarries, underground galleries
Quarrying, cutting and polishing siliceous rock
Dry cutting, grinding, sieving and manipulation of minerals and rock
Manufacturing of silicon carbide, glass, porcelain, earthenware and other ceramic products
Manufacturing and maintenance of abrasives and detergent powders
Foundry work: cast shakeout, sprue removal and blast cleaning
Milling work: polishing, filing products containing free silica
Sandblasting^[2] and grinding
Pottery industry
Handling quartz conglomerates and ornamental stone
Dental prostheses

A few cases of non-occupational silicosis have been reported in communities at proximity to industries like quarries and sand works.
In addition to environmental, genetic factors such as polymorphisms for TNF-α gene is associated with more severe silicosis^[3]

References

↑ Fernández Álvarez R, Martínez González C, Quero Martínez A, Blanco Pérez JJ, Carazo Fernández L, Prieto Fernández A (2015). “Guidelines for the diagnosis and monitoring of silicosis”. Arch Bronconeumol. 51 (2): 86–93. doi:10.1016/j.arbres.2014.07.010. PMID 25479706.
↑ Schelde J, Authried G, Madsen HD, Perch M, Sherson DL (2015). “[Working as a sandblaster can cause silicosis.]”. Ugeskr Laeger. 177 (2A). PMID 25612962.
↑ Corbett EL, Mozzato-Chamay N, Butterworth AE, De Cock KM, Williams BG, Churchyard GJ; et al. (2002). “Polymorphisms in the tumor necrosis factor-alpha gene promoter may predispose to severe silicosis in black South African miners”. Am J Respir Crit Care Med. 165 (5): 690–3. doi:10.1164/ajrccm.165.5.2010050. PMID 11874815.

Overview