Authors
Mazurek-JM; Attfield-MD
Source
Am J Ind Med 2008 Aug; 51(8):568-578
Abstract
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.
Keywords
Quartz-dust; Silica-dusts; Silicosis; Pneumoconiosis; Lung-disease; Lung-fibrosis; Lung-irritants; Respiratory-irritants; Respiratory-system-disorders; Pulmonary-system-disorders; Pulmonary-disorders; Occupational-exposure; Occupational-diseases; Occupational-respiratory-disease; Aerosol-particles; Airborne-particles; Dust-particles; Dust-exposure; Mortality-data; Mortality-rates; Mortality-surveys; Risk-analysis; Age-factors; Age-groups; Statistical-analysis; Occupational-exposure
Contact
Jacek M. Mazurek, Division of Respiratory Disease Studies, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Surveillance Branch, 1095 Willowdale Rd., Mailstop HG 900.2, Morgantown, WV 26505
Document Type
Journal Article
Email Address
acq8@cdc.gov
Source Name
American Journal of Industrial Medicine