[Dose-response curve in the study of the effects of exposure to crystalline silica].
The cumulative exposure to crystalline silica (SiO2) implies a linear relation between duration of exposure and SiO2 concentration, not always suitable to working situations of the last decades. A more correct definition of dose-response curve has currently to consider also different characteristics of SiO2, specifically: possible short-term increases in environmental SiO2 concentration, different mineralogical and surface properties of natural silica polymorphs, age of SiO2 particles, presence of contaminants on the surface of silica particles or even in the respirable fraction of total dust, respirable dust concentration in which SiO2 is diluted and other conditions, also affecting the host, able to slow alveolar clearance and lengthen permanence time of particles in the lung. Many models of definition of cumulative exposure so conceived have been proposed. However, to define the occupational risk threshold to contract silicosis and other silica-related diseases a number of models of cumulative exposure, i.e. biologically effective dose of SiO2, are likely to be delineated that take into account only factors specifically present in different occupational situations.
Dipartimento di Medicina Interna e di Medicina Pubblica, Sezione di Medicina del Lavoro, Università degli Studi di Bari.
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Di Lorenzo
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Cassano
D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D006801:Humans; D016273:Occupational Exposure; D012822:Silicon Dioxide / Q000494:pharmacology*
D012822:Silicon Dioxide