Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 31, 2025
Establishing a Silicosis Rat Model via Exposure of Whole-Body to Respirable Silica
Published on: October 28, 2022
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.
Background:
National investigations are finding silicosis in young workers. We developed a silicosis case-finding process and conducted follow-up interviews to identify emerging exposure sources.
Methods:
Probable cases were identified through Wisconsin hospital discharge and emergency department data and Wisconsin lung transplant programs. Interviews were attempted with case-patients under age 60.
Results:
We identified 68 probable silicosis cases and interviewed 4 case-patients. Occupational exposures for cases under age 60 included sandblasting, quarry work, foundry work, coal mining, and stone fabrication. Two stone fabrication workers were diagnosed before age 40.
Discussion:
Prevention is critically important to eliminate occupational silicosis. Clinicians should obtain the occupational and exposure history to identify cases of occupational lung disease and notify public health to identify and prevent workplace exposures.
