Crystalline silica exposure can result in pulmonary fibrosis, where the pulmonary macrophage is key as a result of its ability to react to silica particles. In the mouse silicosis model, there is initial Th1-type inflammation, characterized by TNF-alpha and IFN-gamma. Previous studies determined that Th2 mediators (i.e., IL-13) are vital to development of pulmonary fibrosis. The present study, ...

Coal fly ashes (CFA) are complex particles of a variable composition, which is mainly dependent on the combustion process, the source of coal and the precipitation technique. Toxic constituents in these particles are considered to be metals, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and silica. The purpose of this review was to study the in vitro and in vivo data on coal fly ash and relate the studied e...

BACKGROUND Crystalline silica is a commonly used mineral in various industries and construction activities, and it is so important introducing potential biomarkers to identify early indicators of biological effects in its high-risk occupational exposures. AIM The present study was aimed to assess the blood and urinary neopterin as an early biomarker of exposure in the workers of an insulator ...

Inhalation of crystalline silica and asbestos is known to cause the progressive pulmonary fibrotic disorders silicosis and asbestosis, respectively. Although alveolar macrophages are believed to initiate these inflammatory responses, the mechanism by which this occurs has been unclear. Here we show that the inflammatory response and subsequent development of pulmonary fibrosis after inhalation ...

AIMS A case-control study was carried out between 1998 and 2000 to investigate the relation between systemic sclerosis and occupational exposure. METHODS Eighty cases of systemic sclerosis admitted consecutively to the Department of Internal Medicine at the University Hospital of Tours from 1998 to 2000 were included. For each case, two age, gender, and smoking habits matched controls hospita...

background: foundry workers are occupationally exposed to hazardous substances such as silica dusts and toxic gases. the aim of this study was to examine the effects of simultaneous exposure to complex mixtures of silica dust, formaldehyde, and triethylamine on lung function parameters. study design: a cross-sectional study. methods: this study was conducted on 55 male workers of core making un...

It is well known that an exposure to crystalline silica gives rise to silicosis and silico-tuberculosis (TB). In the agate industry of Khambhat (Gujarat) not only workers but also people staying in the vicinity of the agate-grinding facilities are exposed to crystalline silica. To reduce their dust exposure, dust control devices were developed. There are approximately 500 grinding machines loca...

OBJECTIVES To estimate excess lifetime risk of (a) mortality from lung disease other than cancer (LDOC), and, (b) onset of radiographic silicosis, arising from occupational exposure to respirable crystalline silica dust. METHODS Data from a cohort of California diatomaceous earth mining and processing workers exposed to crystalline silica dust (mainly as cristobalite) were reanalyzed with Poi...

BACKGROUND Inhalation of crystalline silica induces a pulmonary fibrotic degeneration called silicosis caused by the inability of alveolar macrophages to dissolve the crystalline structure of phagocytosed quartz particles. Ascorbic acid is capable of partially dissolving quartz crystals, leading to an increase of soluble silica concentration and to the generation of new radical sites on the qua...