Silicosis in denim sandblasters in Turkey

Hatice Duygu Baş; Kazım BaŞer; Kenneth Nugent

doi:10.5578/gmj.32157

Authors

Hatice Duygu Baş Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, Texas
Kazım BaŞer Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, Texas
Kenneth Nugent Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, Texas

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5578/gmj.32157

Keywords:

Silicosis, denim sandblasting, Turkey

Abstract

Silicosis is a pneumoconiosis caused by the inhalation of crystalline silica. It is the oldest occupational lung disease, but it continues to cause significant morbidity and mortality world wide due to a lack of preventive measures in the workplace. Denim sandblasting silicosis was initially identified in Turkey as a new and unexpected cause of silicosis, and it continues to be reported from other developing countries where denim sandblasting is still taking place. An aggressive form of silicosis was the most common presentation in Turkey reflecting the intense exposure to silica. Many young men have become disabled or have died due to denim sandblasting even though exposure to silica stopped, demonstrating the progressive course of this disease. Unsafe working conditions were the most important contributors in the development of this silicosis outbreak in these workers in Turkey. The aim of this review is to high light the need for occupational hygiene measures to prevent silicosis and to emphasize the importance of the occupational history

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