Silicosis mortality among young adults in the United States, 1968-2004.
BACKGROUND
To describe silicosis deaths in young (aged 15-44) adults in the U.S. during 1968-2004.


METHODS
We analyzed the National Center for Health Statistics multiple cause-of-death records.


RESULTS
Compared with silicosis decedents aged >or=45 years (n = 15,643), young decedents (n = 237) were more likely to have silicosis listed as the underlying cause of death (74.3% vs. 48.2%, P < 0.001), to be female (9.3% vs. 2.2%, P < 0.001) and black (37.1% vs. 11.7%, P < 0.001). Twenty-nine young silicosis decedents had industry and occupation information available. Occupations in construction and manufacturing industries were associated with significantly elevated proportionate mortality ratios for young silicosis deaths.


CONCLUSIONS
Silicosis deaths occur among young adults. Because these deaths are likely to reflect more intense and recent exposures, the follow-back investigations into the work sites where these individuals were exposed to silica should be conducted.
Division of Respiratory Disease Studies, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Morgantown, West Virginia WV26 505, USA. acq8@cdc.gov
Jacek M
JM
Mazurek
Michael D
MD
Attfield
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D003644:Death Certificates; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017678:Sex Distribution; D012829:Silicosis / Q000401:mortality*; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology