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Updated: Jul 31, 2025
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Establishing a Silicosis Rat Model via Exposure of Whole-Body to Respirable Silica
Published on: October 28, 2022
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Silicosis: Emerging Trends and How to Screen for Early Detection
Megan Elderbrook1, Robert Harrison2, Barbara Grajewski3
1Bureau of Environmental and Occupational Health, Wisconsin Department of Health Services, Madison, Wisconsin, megan.elderbrook@wi.gov.
Summary
Silicosis is increasingly found in young workers, with emerging exposure sources identified through a case-finding process. Prevention is crucial to eliminate occupational silicosis and protect worker health.
Area of Science:
- Occupational Medicine
- Pulmonary Toxicology
- Public Health Surveillance
Background:
- National trends indicate a rise in silicosis cases among young workers.
- Emerging occupational exposure sources require investigation.
- A systematic case-finding approach is needed to identify at-risk individuals.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and implement a silicosis case-finding process.
- To identify emerging occupational exposure sources linked to silicosis.
- To assess the prevalence of silicosis in a specific region.
Main Methods:
- Utilized Wisconsin hospital discharge and emergency department data for case identification.
- Included data from Wisconsin lung transplant programs.
- Conducted follow-up interviews with probable silicosis cases under age 60.
Main Results:
- Identified 68 probable silicosis cases.
- Interviewed 4 case-patients, revealing occupational exposures.
- Exposures in younger cases (<60) included sandblasting, quarry work, foundry work, coal mining, and stone fabrication.
- Two stone fabrication workers were diagnosed before age 40.
Conclusions:
- Occupational silicosis prevention is critically important.
- Clinicians must obtain detailed occupational and exposure histories.
- Public health notification is essential for identifying and preventing workplace exposures.
