Association between proinflammatory responses of respirable silica dust and adverse health effects among dust-exposed workers.

Abstract

To evaluate proinflammatory responses induced by respirable silica dust samples and to analyze the role of those responses in explaining adverse health effects among dust-exposed workers in pottery factoryies and tungsten and tin mines. Proinflammatory cytokines of cells were determined after being treated with silica dust samples. Adverse health effects of workers were calculated on the basis of a cohort study. Incidence and mortality of silicosis among tungsten miners were higher than those in other workers. The incidence of interleukin-1β levels was highest in tungsten mines, which was consistent with the incidence of silicosis in tungsten miners. The higher levels of TNF-α and interleukin-6 released from macrophages might be helpful in explaining increased mortalities from lung cancer among tin miners. Interleukin-1β could be a sensitive biomarker in predicting fibrogenic potential of silica dust and the risk of silicosis among dust-exposed workers.