Is occupational asthma a problem with cement plants and high amounts of chisel (silicone) dust

Please inform: What can happen to workers and inhabitants of areas with cement plants and high amounts of chisel (silicone) dust in the air? Best

Occupational Asthma, Specialist, 11/17/2008, 11/19/2008,

Occupational asthma may be a problem in cement plants caused by the cement, and probably the chromate content of the cement. Silica exposure can be dangerous, in modest levels it can cause COPD (or accelerated decline in FEV1, particularly in smokers), in higher concentrations it can cause silicosis and increase risks of TB. I very high exposure it can cause acute lung injury and death. There are a small number of case reports where occupational asthma has been confirmed with specific challenge tests to potassium dichromate, which is the cause of the contact dermatitis common in cement workers. Olaguibel 1989; Allergol et Immunopathol 17:173 (5 workers reacting to potassium dichromate 0.1mg/ml, non-specific reactions over 2mg/ml for 5 minutes) De Raeve 1998 Am J Industr Med 34:169. A chromate exposed floorer (0.3% potassium dichromate nebulised for 60 minutes) Leroyer 1998; Respiration 65:403 A roofer sawing corrugated fibre cement board. (Positive challenge with potassium dichromate 0.1mg/ml for 30 minutes). The following are earlier references Fueki, Jap J Allergol 1972;21:665 Lob, Z Unfallchir Vers Med Berufskr 1985;78:47 Popa, Dis Chest 1969;56:395 There are also a number of epidemiological studies in cement workers, perhaps more related to occupational COPD than asthma Alakija, W Afri J Med 1990;9:187 Vestbo, Int Arch Occup Environ Health 1990;62:217 (a negative study) Kalacic, Arch Environ Health 1973;26:84 Oleru, Environ Res 1984;33:379 Abou-Taleb, J Roy Soc Health 1995;115:378 I have seen some cement induced asthmas, some workers are very heavily exposed raising the possibility of irritant induced reactions to the highly alkaline material, which is easily inhaled. De-Raeve H, Vandecasteele C, Demedts M, Nemery B, Dermal and respiratory sensitization to chromate in a cement floorer, Am J Industr Med, 1998;34:169-176, Leroyer C, Dewitte JD, Bassanets A, Boutoux M, Daniel C, Clavier J, Occupational asthma due to chromium, Respiration, 1998;65:403-405, AbouTaleb AN, Musaiger AO, Abdelmoneim RB, Health status of cement workers in the United Arab Emirates, J R Soc Health, 1995;115:378-381, Vestbo J, Rasmussen FV, Long-term exposure to cement dust and later hospitalisation due to respiratory disease, Int Arch Occup Environ Health, 1990;62:217-220, Alakija W, Iyawe VI, Jarikre LN, Chiwuzie JC, Ventilatory function of workers at Okpella cement factory in Nigeria, W Afri J Med, 1990;9:187-192, Olaguibel JM, Basomba A, Occupational asthma induced by chromium salts, Allergol Immunopathol, 1989;17:173-176, Lob M, Respiratory allergy to cement, Z Unfallchir Vers Med Berufskr, 1985;78:47-50, Oleru UG, Pulmonary function and symptoms of Nigerian workers exposed to cement dust, Environ Res, 1984;33:379-385, Kalacic I, Ventilatory lung function in cement workers, Arch Environ Health, 1973;26:84-85, Fueki R, Kuramuti G, Togawa M, Kobayashi S, Shichijo K, Kikaki Y, Ookawa A, Studies on cement asthma, Jap J Allergol, 1972;21:665-66*, Popa V, Tecelescu D, Stanescu D, Gavrilescu N, Bronchial asthma and asthmatic bronchitis determined by simple chemicals, Dis Chest, 1969;56:395-404,

11/19/2008