[Pneumoconiosis research in Switzerland in the past and today]

The history of pneumoconiosis research in Switzerland from the 16th century to the present day is briefly summarized. The concerns and aims of a silicosis research group founded at the end of World War II by faculty members of Zurich University, Federal Institute of Technology (ETHZ) and by the SUVA (Swiss national accident insurance) are presented. The salient results of interdisciplinary research on the pathogenicity of particle size and fibrogenicity of various mineral and non-mineral dusts are discussed, and related questions of cancer epidemiology are considered.