Silicosis in dental laboratory technicians - five states, 1994-2000.
Authors
Rosenman-KD; Pechter-E; Schill-DP; Valiante-DJ; Bresnitz-EA; Cummings-KR; Socie-E; Filios-MS
Source
MMWR 2004 Mar; 53(9):195-197
Abstract
Silicosis is a debilitating, sometimes fatal, yet preventable occupational lung disease caused by inhaling respirable crystalline silica dust. Although crystalline silica exposure and silicosis have been associated historically with work in mining, quarrying, sandblasting, masonry, founding, and ceramics, certain materials and processes used in dental laboratories also place technicians at risk for silicosis. During 1994 - 2000, occupational disease surveillance programs in five states identified nine confirmed cases of silicosis among persons who worked in dental laboratories; four persons resided in Michigan, two in New Jersey, and one each in Massachusetts, New York, and Ohio. This report describes three of the cases and underscores the need for employers of dental laboratory technicians to ensure appropriate control of worker exposure to crystalline silica.
Keywords
Respiratory-system-disorders; Silica-dusts; Silicosis; Dental-laboratories; Surveillance-programs; Chest-X-rays; X-ray-diagnosis; Disease-incidence; Medical-personnel; Region-1; Region-2; Region-5; Lung-disorders; Metallic-dusts; Mineral-dusts
Document Type
Journal Article
Funding Type
Cooperative Agreement
Identifying No.
Cooperative-Agreement-Number-U60-CCU-208160
Source Name
Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report
State
MA; MI; NJ; NY; OH; WV
Performing Organization
New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services
