New Cases Of Silicosis Have Been Diagnosed Silicosis Has Continued To Claim Lives

Silicosis Healthy People 2000, the US Department of Health and Human Services public health goals, listed silicosis as one of the preventable occupational lung diseases that could be eliminated by the year 2000. This goal was not accomplished.

The Occupational Health Surveillance Program received two recent reports involving illness associated with silica exposure. Last August, a physician reported a case of silicosis in a 45-year-old Massachusetts dental technician who worked in his own dental laboratory. In February, OHSP received an inquiry about a Maine worker diagnosed by video assisted open lung biopsy with aluminum silicate particles in her lungs; she had previously worked in antiperspirant manufacture.
 
Silica exposure continues today in sandblasting, construction projects (including the Big Dig and road repair) and in dental laboratories. Continued health care provider vigilance is required to diagnose this “old” occupational disease. This report provides an update about silicosis.
 
Epidemiology Over the last 20 years, new cases of silicosis have been diagnosed; silicosis has continued to claim lives. In the United States, most silicosis-associated deaths occur among persons aged 65 years and older. Active surveillance is only conducted in several states that receive NIOSH funding. Four states (Michigan, New Jersey, Ohio and Wisconsin) conducted active surveillance of silicosis using death certificates, hospital discharge data and physician reports between 1987-1990; they documented 430 cases over this period (MMWR November 19, 1993/42(SS-05);23-8). Silicosis affects young workers as well.

The Association of Occupational and Environmental Clinics, a national network with 53 clinical facilities reported 158 cases, among whom 68 are under 65 years of age. Estimates of the prevalence of silicosis in the United States vary, ranging from 30,000 to 100,000 current cases.