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. 2023 Nov 30;22(1):82.
doi: 10.1186/s12940-023-01036-0.

Occupational exposure to respirable crystalline silica and lung cancer: a systematic review of cut-off points

Julia Rey-Brandariz  1   2 , Cristina Martínez  3   4 , Cristina Candal-Pedreira  1   2   5 , Mónica Pérez-Ríos  1   2   5 , Leonor Varela-Lema  1   2   5 , Alberto Ruano-Ravina  6   7   8
Affiliations

Occupational exposure to respirable crystalline silica and lung cancer: a systematic review of cut-off points

Julia Rey-Brandariz et al. Environ Health. .

Abstract

Background: Respirable crystalline silica (RCS) is associated with the development of lung cancer. However, there is uncertainty around the exposure threshold at which exposure to RCS may pose a clear risk for the development of lung cancer. The objective of this study was to review the cut-off points at which the risk of mortality or incidence of lung cancer due to occupational exposure to RCS becomes evident through a systematic review.

Methods: We conducted a search in PubMed, including cohort and case-control studies which assessed various categories of RCS exposure. A search was also conducted on the webpages of institutional organizations. A qualitative data synthesis was performed.

Results: Twenty studies were included. Studies that assessed lung cancer mortality and incidence displayed wide variability both in RCS exposure categories and related risks. Although most studies found no significant association for RCS exposure categories, it appears to be a low risk of lung cancer for mean concentrations of less than 0.07mg/m3. Regulatory agencies set annual RCS exposure limits ranging from 0.025mg/m3 through 0.1mg/m3.

Conclusions: There is a wide degree of heterogeneity in RCS exposure categories, with most studies observing no significant risk of lung cancer for the lowest exposure categories. Cut-off points differ between agencies but are nonetheless very similar and do not exceed 0.1mg/m3.

Keywords: International agencies; Lung cancer; Occupational exposure; Respirable crystalline silica; Systematic review.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no competing interests.

Authors declare that there are no conflicts of interest.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Flowchart of papers included
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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