Occupational Respirable Crystalline Silica Dust Exposure and Risk of Non-Lung Cancer Mortality Among German Uranium Miners (1946-2018).

Abstract

This study examines the relationship between occupational exposure to respirable crystalline silica dust and mortality from non-lung cancer diseases in German uranium miners. Excess relative risk (ERR) for mortality from potentially silica-related health outcomes was estimated for silica dust exposure. Risk for silicosis or other pneumoconiosis increased starting at 3 dust-years, doubling at 6 dust-years. A statistically significant ERR was observed for non-malignant respiratory disease excluding silicosis (ERR/10 dust-years [95% confidence interval] = 0.12 [0.03, 0.21]) and for "other Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease" (0.16 [0.01, 0.31]). A non-significant ERR was noted for glomerular disease (6.37 [-6.48, 19.22]) and fibrotic pulmonary disease (0.74 [-0.44, 1.92]). Adjusting for radiation did not notably alter these findings. In German uranium miners, silicosis remains the primary cause of death from silica dust, indicating increased risks for other diseases.