Premium
Occupational exposure to crystalline silica: Estimating the number of workers potentially at high risk in Italy
Author(s) -
Scarselli Alberto,
Binazzi Alessandra,
Marinaccio Alessandro
Publication year - 2008
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/ajim.20619
Subject(s) - silicosis , occupational exposure , environmental health , medicine , occupational medicine , occupational hygiene , risk assessment , plucking , occupational safety and health , geography , computer security , pathology , computer science , meteorology
Background Occupational exposure to free silica is widespread in several economic sectors and is well known to cause silicosis. This study was designed to establish a database of enterprises and workers in industrial sectors involving silica exposure in Italy and to estimate the number of workers potentially at high risk of exposure. Methods The industrial sectors at risk of silica exposure were identified by selecting the industrial sector that employed people who were compensated for silicosis in 2000–2004. The enterprises and the number of workers (blue‐collar) potentially at risk of silica exposure were selected from the Italian database of workplaces. Results The number of workers potentially at high risk of silica exposure, were 28,712. The most involved sectors were: construction, mining and quarrying, metal working, and manufacturing of non‐metallic products. Among regions in Italy, some exposure‐disease scenarios were cited in literature, particularly in Sardinia, Liguria, and Tuscany. Conclusions Establishing a database of industries related to silica dust exposure and identifying the number of workers potentially at high risk can be useful to reinforce preventive measures and to control exposure. Am. J. Ind. Med. 51:941–949, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.