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Establishing a Silicosis Rat Model via Exposure of Whole-Body to Respirable Silica

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Published on: October 28, 2022

Silicosis in Switzerland.

Michael F Koller¹, Stefan M Scholz², Claudia Pletscher³

¹Suva, Lucerne, Switzerland (Division of Occupational Medicine). michael.koller@suva.ch.

International Journal of Occupational Medicine and Environmental Health

|July 17, 2018

Summary

Occupational exposure to quartz dust remains a concern, with 28% of measurements exceeding Swiss limits. Factors like past exposure, smoking, and mask compliance contribute to ongoing silicosis cases.

Keywords:

Switzerland crystalline silica lung cancer occupational exposure limit quartz silicosis

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Area of Science:

Occupational Health
Environmental Science
Pulmonology

Background:

Silicosis and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are significant occupational diseases linked to silica dust exposure.
Understanding the correlation between quartz dust concentrations and disease incidence is crucial for public health.
Swiss occupational exposure limits (OELs) have been in place since 1975.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate the relationship between quartz dust concentrations in Swiss enterprises and the occurrence of silicosis and related occupational diseases (OD).

Main Methods:

Quartz dust concentrations were sourced from Suva's occupational health surveillance databases (2005-2014).
Data on quartz dust-related diseases were extracted from medical records of workers with OD acknowledged by Suva (2005-2014).

Main Results:

The median quartz dust concentration was 0.09 mg/m³ (alveolar fraction), with 28% of measurements exceeding the Swiss OEL of 0.15 mg/m³.
179 cases of silicosis and 2 of COPD were acknowledged, alongside 8 lung cancer and 55 unspecified COPD diagnoses.
46% of workers were first exposed before 1975, 63% of foreign workers may have acquired silicosis abroad, and 75% were ever-smokers.

Conclusions:

Silicosis incidence has declined significantly since the 1970s but continues to occur.
Ongoing cases may be attributed to excessive past or present exposure (domestic or foreign), smoking, or inadequate mask use.
Improved compliance with protective measures and addressing historical exposures are vital for further reducing silicosis rates.