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Updated: May 23, 2026

Establishing a Silicosis Rat Model via Exposure of Whole-Body to Respirable Silica
Published on: October 28, 2022
Association between proinflammatory responses of respirable silica dust and adverse health effects among dust-exposed
Ting Zhou1, Yi Rong, Yuewei Liu
1Department of Occupational & Environmental Health and Ministry of Education, Key Laboratory of Environment and Health, School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China.
Objective:
To evaluate proinflammatory responses induced by respirable silica dust samples and to analyze the role of those responses in explaining adverse health effects among dust-exposed workers in pottery factoryies and tungsten and tin mines.
Methods:
Proinflammatory cytokines of cells were determined after being treated with silica dust samples. Adverse health effects of workers were calculated on the basis of a cohort study.
Results:
Incidence and mortality of silicosis among tungsten miners were higher than those in other workers. The incidence of interleukin-1β levels was highest in tungsten mines, which was consistent with the incidence of silicosis in tungsten miners. The higher levels of TNF-α and interleukin-6 released from macrophages might be helpful in explaining increased mortalities from lung cancer among tin miners.
Conclusions:
Interleukin-1β could be a sensitive biomarker in predicting fibrogenic potential of silica dust and the risk of silicosis among dust-exposed workers.
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