title: Silicosis in Workers Exposed to Artificial Quartz Conglomerates: Does It Differ From Chronic Simple Silicosis?
abstract: Recently, a number of reports have been published on silicosis in workers exposed to artificial quartz conglomerates containing high levels of crystalline silica particles (70-90%) used in the construction of kitchen and bathroom surfaces. Three cases of silicosis in workers exposed to artificial quartz conglomerates are reported. The diagnosis was derived from both the International Labour Office and the International Classification of HRCT for Occupational and Environmental Respiratory Diseases (ICOERD) classifications and cytological analysis of bronchoalveolar lavage fluid. In 2 cases, levels of respirable silica greatly in excess of recommended standards were measured in the workplace, and cytological analysis of bronchoalveolar lavage fluid highlighted a prevalence of lymphocytes, meeting criteria for the diagnosis of accelerated silicosis. The prevention of pneumoconiosis caused by the use of innovative materials, such as artificial conglomerates with high crystalline silica content must be addressed.
authors.affiliation: Unidad de Medicina Ocupacional, Departamento de Cirugía Médica y Neurociencias, Universidad de Siena, Siena, Italia.
authors.forename: Valentina
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Paolucci
authors.affiliation: Unidad de Medicina Ocupacional, Departamento de Cirugía Médica y Neurociencias, Universidad de Siena, Siena, Italia.
authors.forename: Riccardo
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Romeo
authors.affiliation: Unidad de Medicina Ocupacional, Departamento de Cirugía Médica y Neurociencias, Universidad de Siena, Siena, Italia.
authors.forename: Antonietta Gerardina
authors.initials: AG
authors.lastname: Sisinni
authors.affiliation: Unidad de prevención de riesgos laborales, AUSL 11, Empoli, Italia.
authors.forename: Dusca
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Bartoli
authors.affiliation: Sección de Diagnóstico por Imágenes, Departamento de Cirugía Médica y Neurociencias, Universidad de Siena, Siena, Italia.
authors.forename: Maria Antonietta
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Mazzei
authors.affiliation: Unidad de Medicina Ocupacional, Departamento de Cirugía Médica y Neurociencias, Universidad de Siena, Siena, Italia. Electronic address: pietro.sartorelli@unisi.it.
authors.forename: Pietro
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Sartorelli
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002908:Chronic Disease; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects*; D011791:Quartz / Q000633:toxicity*; D012829:Silicosis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology*
chemical_list: D011791:Quartz
keywords: Bronchoalveolar lavage fluid; Conglomerados de cuarzo; HRCT; Líquido del lavado broncoalveolar; Quartz conglomerates; Silicosis; TAC de alta resolución