Silicosis
Silicosis is a chronic, disabling, and sometimes fatal dust disease of the lungs caused by inhaling silica particles. Data on the prevalence of silicosis are available through the SENSOR program. For surveillance purposes, a silicosis case must have a history of occupational exposure to airborne silica dust and one or both of the following: (1) a chest radiograph (or other imaging technique) interpreted as consistent with silicosis and (2) pathologic findings characteristic of silicosis.
During 1993–1997, three States (Michigan, New Jersey, and Ohio) conducted surveillance for silicosis through the SENSOR program. Together these States identified 576 cases of silicosis, mostly through hospital reports (74.8%), reports by health care professionals (15.6%), workers’ compensation (6.4%), and death certificates (1.7%) (Figure 2–189). Most cases (67.4%) occurred among operators, fabricators, and laborers (Figure 2–190) in the manufacturing industry (85.8%) (Figure 2–191).
The number of deaths due to silicosis declined sharply during 1968–1999, from more than 1,157 deaths in 1968 to 187 deaths in 1999 (Figure 2–192). Metal mining had the highest PMR among industries, and miscellaneous metal and plastic processing machine operators had the highest PMR among occupations (Figure 2–194).
Silicosis Prevalence
Source of reports
What sources did SENSOR States use to identify silicosis cases during 1993–1997?
 | Figure 2-189 Distribution and number of silicosis cases for all three reporting SENSOR States (Michigan, New Jersey, Ohio) by source of report, 1993-1997. During 1993-1997, hospitals were the largest source of reports (74.8%) for identifying the largest proportion of confirmed cases of silicosis (74.8%), followed by health care professionals (15.6%). (Sources: Rosenman et al. [2002b]; Socie and Migliozzi [2002]; Valiante and Schill [2002b]; Filios [2002b].) |
Occupation
In which occupations did SENSOR States find silicosis cases during 1993–1997?
 | Figure 2-190 Distribution and number of silicosis cases for all three reporting SENSOR States (Michigan, New Jersey, Ohio) by occupation, 1993-1997. The largest proportion of silicosis cases (67.4%) occurred among operators, fabricators, and laborers during 1993-1997. (Sources: Rosenman et al. [2002b]; Socie and Migliozzi [2002]; Valiante and Schill [2002b]; Filios [2002b].) |
Industry
In which industries did SENSOR States find silicosis cases during 1993–1997?
 | Figure 2-191 Distribution and number of silicosis cases for all three reporting SENSOR States (Michigan, New Jersey, Ohio) by industry, 1993-1997. The largest proportion of silicosis cases occurred in manufacturing (85.8%), followed by construction (7.8%). (Sources: Rosenman et al. [2002b]; Socie and Migliozzi [2002]; Valiante and Schill [2002b]; Filios [2002b].) |
Silicosis Mortality
Magnitude and trend
How did the pattern of silicosis mortality change during 1968–1999?
 | Figure 2-192 Number of deaths of U.S. residents aged 15 or older with silicosis recorded as an underlying or contributing cause on the death certificate, 1968-1999. The number of silicosis deaths declined sharply from 1,157 deaths in 1968 to 187 deaths in 1990. Silicosis was listed as the underlying cause of death in nearly half of all silicosis deaths from 1990 to 1999. (Source: NIOSH [2002f].) |
Rates among States
How did silicosis mortality rates differ by State during 1990–1997?
 | Figure 2-193 Age-adjusted mortality rates for silicosis in U.S. residents aged 15 or older by State, 1990-1997. States with the highest silicosis mortality rates during 1990-1999 were regionally dispersed: West Virginia, Pennsylvania, and Vermont make up the eastern cluster; and Colorado, New Mexico, and Utah constitute the western cluster. Mortality rates for each of these States were at least three times the rate of 1.21 per million for the entire United States. (Source: NIOSH [2002f].) |
Occupation and industry
Which industries and occupations were associated with silicosis mortality during 1990–1999?
 | Figure 2-194 PMRs and 95% confidence intervals for silicosis in U.S. residents aged 15 or older by industry and occupation, adjusted for age, race, and sex, 1990-1999. During 1990-1999, metal mining was associated with the highest significant silicosis PMR among industries. Among occupations, miscellaneous metal and plastic processing machine operators had the highest silicosis PMR. (Note: This figure presents the highest significant PMRs based on 10 or more deaths.) (Source: NIOSH [2002f].) |
