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Silica, silicosis, and lung cancer: a risk assessment
Author(s) -
Finkelstein Murray M.
Publication year - 2000
Publication title -
american journal of industrial medicine
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.7
H-Index - 104
eISSN - 1097-0274
pISSN - 0271-3586
DOI - 10.1002/1097-0274(200007)38:1<8::aid-ajim2>3.0.co;2-#
Subject(s) - medicine , silicosis , lung cancer , occupational exposure , risk assessment , cancer , pneumoconiosis , environmental health , oncology , pathology , computer security , computer science
Background To investigate exposure–response relationships for silica, silicosis, and lung cancer. Methods Quantitative review of the literature identified in a computerized literature search. Results The risk of silicosis (ILO category 1/1 or more) following a lifetime of exposure at the current OSHA standard of 0.1 mg/m 3 is likely to be at least 5–10% and lung cancer risk is likely to be increased by 30% or more. The exposure–response relation for silicosis is nonlinear and reduction of dust exposures would have a greater than linear benefit in terms of risk reduction. Available data suggests that 30 years exposure at 0.1 mg/m 3 might lead to a lifetime silicosis risk of about 25%, whereas reduction of the exposure to 0.05 mg/m 3 might reduce the risk to under 5%. Conclusions The lifetime risk of silicosis and lung cancer at an exposure level of 0.1 mg/m 3 is high. Lowering exposures to the NIOSH recommended limit if 0.05 mg/m 3 may have substantial benefit. Am. J. Ind. Med. 38:8–18, 2000. © 2000 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.