Silicosis-Related Years of Potential Life Lost Before Age 65 Years

Occupational exposure to respirable crystalline silica occurs in construction, mining, manufacturing, and other industries and can result in silicosis and other lung diseases.

A study by scientists of the US-American National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) in the July 18 issue of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report estimates the "years of potential life lost” before age 65 due to death from silicosis. This is a measure of the severity and prevalence of silicosis, underscoring the need to prevent this occupational disease.

Although the findings in this report indicate a decrease in annual silicosis-related YPLL for 1968--2005, the increased proportion of silicosis-related deaths among young adults underscores the need for targeted prevention programs, investigation of cases, and individual case follow-up of silicosis deaths occurring at younger ages, as recommended by the Council of State and Territorial Epidemiologists. Effective primary prevention is critical because chronic silicosis can develop or progress even after occupational exposure ends.

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AplusA-online.de - Source: National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)