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Updated: Sep 30, 2025

Establishing a Silicosis Rat Model via Exposure of Whole-Body to Respirable Silica
Published on: October 28, 2022
Respirable Dust and Silica: Respiratory Diseases Among Swedish Iron Foundry Workers
Alexander Lenander-Ramirez1, Ing-Liss Bryngelsson, Per Vihlborg
1From the Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health, Örebro University, Örebro, Sweden (Lenander-Ramirez, Bryngelsson, Westberg, and Dr Andersson); Geriatic Clinic, Faculty of Medicine and Health, Örebro University, Örebro Sweden (Dr Vihlborg); School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health, Örebro University, Örebro, Sweden (Westberg and Dr Andersson).
Objective:
The mortality and morbidity pattern for respiratory diseases was determined in a cohort of 1752 Swedish foundry workers, particularly for respirable silica dust exposure.
Methods:
The morbidity follow-up in the Swedish National Non-primary Outpatient Register covered 2001 to 2017 (NPR; specialist not in care patients), the mortality from the National Causes of Death Register covered 2001 to 2017. Cumulative exposures to silica and dust were determined.
Results:
The morbidity in COPD showed significantly increased risk for all exposure groups, as did silicosis in the high exposure group, these cases corresponded to silica exposure levels below 0.05 mg/m3. The mortality of all causes and respiratory diseases was significantly increased by cumulative silica exposure in the high exposure group.
Conclusions:
Significantly increased morbidity for respiratory diseases and COPD was determined at silica exposure levels below the current Swedish OEL.
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