Does silicosis still occur?
Article Abstract:
Silicosis is the collection of silica within the lungs, which leads to lung disease. It is often a work-related disease and it has been known since antiquity. The current surveillance system for obtaining information regarding patients affected by silicosis does not reflect the true prevalence of this disease. This study develops a new method of surveying the existence of silicosis among residents of the state of New Jersey. The method uses both hospital discharge records and death certificates to detect cases of silicosis, which may then be investigated by state officials. From 1979 to 1987, 529 individuals with silicosis were reported; hospital records yielded 418 cases and death certificates provided an additional 36 cases. Whenever possible, medical records were obtained (153 cases) and chest X-rays were reviewed. Reporting of occupational diseases was required by New Jersey law as of 1986, but only 13 of 45 hospitals which cared for patients with silicosis had filed reports. An additional aspect of this article concerns tracking 401 individuals in the New Jersey Silicosis Disease Registry. On the basis of questionnaires, it was found that few affected individuals had filed for worker's compensation. Follow-up inspections of 68 industrial sites that had been identified with cases of silicosis showed that all continued to maintain an environment conducive to silicosis. Many of the visited sites lacked a method of sampling for silica and medical surveillance and education of the work force. The authors recommend the use of hospital discharge data for any state that wishes to monitor silicosis levels. In New Jersey, this method led to the identification of approximately 60 silicosis patients a year during the period 1979 to 1987.
Publication Name: JAMA, The Journal of the American Medical Association
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0098-7484
Year: 1989
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Occupational silicosis - Ohio, 1989-1994
Article Abstract:
An Ohio surveillance program of occupationally acquired silicosis shows the benefits and limitations of hospital discharge data-based reporting. Silicosis is a lung disease caused by inhaling dust containing crystalline silica. Surveillance is necessary to identify occupational sources of silicosis so that preventive measures can be instituted. For example, investigation of the workplace of one silicosis patient revealed that exposure to crystalline silica was high and other workers were affected. The company subsequently followed recommendations to use another compound instead of silica. Hospital discharge reports generate more leads and clinical information than other information sources. However, patients are not usually hospitalized, and therefore not identified, in the early stages of silicosis. Also, cases may be missed if silicosis is not the primary reason for hospitalization and not entered in discharge reporting. A combination of silicosis reporting sources is essential for thorough surveillance.
Publication Name: JAMA, The Journal of the American Medical Association
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0098-7484
Year: 1995
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Silicosis Deaths Among Young Adults-United States, 1968-1994
Article Abstract:
Overexposure to silica dust, as may occur during sandblasting, may cause silicosis. Silicosis is a chronic, fibrotic lung disease for which no treatment exists. The CDC reports two cases of fatal silicosis in young workers exposed to massive amounts of crystalline silica dust during 3-4 years of occupational exposure as sandblasters. Silicosis is more commonly seen in older workers after many years of exposure to lower concentrations of dust. Worker safety measures to prevent inhalation of silica dust is critical in preventing development of silicosis.
Publication Name: JAMA, The Journal of the American Medical Association
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0098-7484
Year: 1998
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