Current global perspectives on silicosis-Convergence of old and newly emergent hazards

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.

Keywords: epidemiology; occupational medicine; prevention; public health; silicosis.

FIGURE 1

Age‐standardized incidence rates (ASIR) for silicosis in 2017 reported by the Global Burden of Disease Study. Source: Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology (reproduced with permission)

FIGURE 2

Rock drill operators in a gold mine. Source: Centre for Environmental and Occupational Health Research, University of Cape Town (reproduced with permission)