Silicosis mortality among young adults in the United States, 1968-2004

To describe silicosis deaths in young (aged 15-44) adults in the U.S. during 1968-2004.

We analyzed the National Center for Health Statistics multiple cause-of-death records.

Compared with silicosis decedents aged >or=45 years (n = 15,643), young decedents (n = 237) were more likely to have silicosis listed as the underlying cause of death (74.3% vs. 48.2%, P < 0.001), to be female (9.3% vs. 2.2%, P < 0.001) and black (37.1% vs. 11.7%, P < 0.001). Twenty-nine young silicosis decedents had industry and occupation information available. Occupations in construction and manufacturing industries were associated with significantly elevated proportionate mortality ratios for young silicosis deaths.

Silicosis deaths occur among young adults. Because these deaths are likely to reflect more intense and recent exposures, the follow-back investigations into the work sites where these individuals were exposed to silica should be conducted.