Highway repair: a new silicosis threat.
OBJECTIVE
We describe an emerging public health concern regarding silicosis in the fast-growing highway repair industry.


METHODS
We examined highway construction trends, silicosis surveillance case data, and environmental exposure data to evaluate the risk of silicosis among highway repair workers. We reviewed silicosis case data from the construction industry in 3 states that have silicosis registries, and we conducted environmental monitoring for silica at highway repair work sites.


RESULTS
Our findings indicate that a large population of highway workers is at risk of developing silicosis from exposure to crystalline silica.


CONCLUSIONS
Exposure control methods, medical screenings, protective health standards, and safety-related contract language are necessary for preventing future occupational disease problems among highway repair workers.
Valiante
David J
DJ
New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services, Occupational Health Surveillance Program, Trenton, NJ 08625, USA. david.valiante@doh.state.nj.us
Schill
Donald P
DP
Rosenman
Kenneth D
KD
Socie
Edward
E
D000395:Air Pollutants, Occupational / Q000633:toxicity*; D003252:Construction Materials / Q000633:toxicity*; D004391:Dust; D004784:Environmental Monitoring; D062665:Epidemiological Monitoring; D006801:Humans; D019570:Inhalation Exposure; D008824:Michigan / Q000453:epidemiology; D018986:Motor Vehicles; D009515:New Jersey / Q000453:epidemiology; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000453:epidemiology*; D016273:Occupational Exposure; D009820:Ohio / Q000453:epidemiology; D011159:Population Surveillance; D012042:Registries; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012829:Silicosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology*; D014481:United States; D014489:United States Occupational Safety and Health Administration
D000395:Air Pollutants, Occupational; D004391:Dust