Silicosis epidemiology and demographics
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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]
Overview
Epidemiology and Demographics
During 1999–2013, a total of 2,065 decedents had silicosis listed as the underlying or as a contributing cause of death (1,122 [54.3%] decedents had silicosis listed as the underlying cause of death) (Table). The annual number of silicosis deaths declined 40% from 185 in 1999 to 111 in 2013 (p-value for trend <0.001), but the decline appears to have leveled off during 2010–2013. The lowest number of silicosis deaths (88) occurred in 2011. Higher numbers of deaths occurred in 2012 (103) and 2013 (111), but remained within the 95% confidence interval predicted by the first-order autoregressive linear regression model used to evaluate trends for 1999–2013. Among all silicosis deaths, 47 (2.3%) decedents were aged 15–44 years; of these, 34 (72.3%) had silicosis coded as the underlying cause of death (Table). The annual number of silicosis deaths in persons aged 15–44 years varied and was 4, 0, and 8 in 2011, 2012, and 2013, respectively.
China has the most patients with silicosis, with more than 500 000 cases recorded between 1991 and 1995, and 6000 new cases and more than 24 000 deaths reported annually.
Silicosis is the most common occupational lung disease worldwide, it occurs everywhere but is especially common in developing countries.[1] From 1991 to 1995, China reported more than 24,000 deaths due to silicosis each year.[2] In the United States, it is estimated that over one million(two million[3]) workers are exposed to free crystalline silica dusts and 59,000 of these workers will develop silicosis sometime in the course of their lives.[2]
According to CDC data[4], silicosis in the United States is relatively rare. The incidence of deaths due to silicosis declined by 84% between 1968 and 1999, and only 187 1999 deaths had silicosis as the underlying or contributing cause.[5] Additionally, cases of silicosis in Michigan, New Jersey, and Ohio are highly correlated to industry[6] and occupation[7].
Although silicosis has been known for centuries, the industrialization of mining has led to an increase in silicosis cases. Pneumatic drilling in mines and less commonly, mining using explosives, would raise rock dust. In the United States, a 1930 Hawk's Nest incident (epidemic of silicosis) due to the construction of the Hawk's Nest Tunnel near Gauley Bridge, West Virginia caused the death of more than 400 workers. The prevalence of silicosis led some men to grow what is called a miner's mustache, in an attempt to intercept as much dust as possible.
There is some concern that a batch of cannabis contaminated with silica found in the UK may cause silicosis in some users. [8]
Also, the mining establishment of Delamar Ghost Town, Nevada was ruined by a dry-mining process that produced a silicosis-causing dust. After hundreds of deaths from silicosis, the town was nicknamed The Widowmaker. The problem in those days was somewhat resolved with an addition to the drill which sprayed a mist of water, turning dust raised by drilling into mud, but this inhibited mining work.
Silicosis is an occupational hazard to mining, sandblasting, quarry, ceramics and foundry workers, as well as grinders, stonecutters and those continually exposed to silica dust.
Protective measures such as respirators have brought a steady decline in death rates due to silicosis in Western countries. Unfortunately, this is not true of less developed countries where work conditions are poor and respiratory equipment is seldom used. For instance, life expectancy for silver miners in Potosí, Bolivia is around 40 years due to silicosis.
Recently, silicosis in Turkish denim sandblasters was detected as a new cause of silicosis due to recurring, poor working conditions.
Silicosis is seen in horses associated with inspiration of dust from certain cristobalite-containing soils in California.
References
- ↑ Template:Cite paper
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 "Silicosis Fact Sheet". World Health Organization. May 2000. Retrieved 2007-05-29.
- ↑ "Safety and Health Topics Silica, Crystalline". Occupational Safety and Health Administration. March 2007. Retrieved 2007-05-29.
- ↑ http://www2.cdc.gov/niosh-chartbook/ch2/ch2-10-3-5.asp
- ↑ http://www2.cdc.gov/niosh-chartbook/imagedetail.asp?imgid=234
- ↑ http://www2.cdc.gov/niosh-chartbook/imagedetail.asp?imgid=232
- ↑ http://www2.cdc.gov/niosh-chartbook/imagedetail.asp?imgid=232
- ↑ Cannabis contamination in the UK