High prevalence and advanced silicosis in active granite workers: a dose-response analysis including FEV1.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate silica exposure and respiratory disease in granite workers.


METHODS
A cross-sectional study of 440 active granite workers.


RESULTS
Seventy-seven (17.5%) have silicosis, complicated in 15 of them; 18 have an obstructive ventilatory defect and 73 had exceeded 3.5 mg/m-year of cumulative silica exposure. Percent predicted FEV1 have a significant negative relation with mg/m(3)-year (P < 0.001) with a trend toward dose-response excluding silicotics and controlling for tobacco. The odds ratio (95% confidence interval) of having a percent predicted FEV1 below 50th percentile is 1.18 (0.66 to 2.11) for nonexposed smokers, 1.47 (0.76 to 2.84) for exposed nonsmokers, and 2.07 (1.12 to 3.85) for exposed smokers, in comparison with the control group.


CONCLUSIONS
This study suggests that silica induces functional alteration regardless of silicosis and, in all likelihood, synergistically with tobacco. Exposure levels must be controlled better in these workers and those with silicosis must be relocated to risk-free jobs or retired.
Rego
Gumersindo
G
National Institute of Silicosis, Oviedo, Spain. Gumersino.rego@sespa.princast.es
Pichel
Arturo
A
Quero
Aida
A
Dubois
Alejandro
A
Martínez
Cristina
C
Isidro
Isabel
I
Gil
Manuel
M
Cuervo
Víctor
V
González
Artemio
A
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004785:Environmental Pollutants / Q000633:toxicity; D005541:Forced Expiratory Volume / Q000187:drug effects*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016273:Occupational Exposure; D016017:Odds Ratio; D012141:Respiratory Tract Infections / Q000139:chemically induced*; D012822:Silicon Dioxide / Q000633:toxicity; D012829:Silicosis / Q000145:classification / Q000453:epidemiology*; D013030:Spain; D055815:Young Adult
D004785:Environmental Pollutants; C007886:granite; D012822:Silicon Dioxide