Chronic Silicosis as the Potential Consequence of Short-Term Exposure to Silica: A Case Report

Main Article Content

Kanruethai Tangsurased
Narongpon Dumavibhat
Supakorn Chansaengpetch
Tirathat Virojskulchai
Sitthiphon Bunman
Thammasin Ingviya
Apinut Jaroonpipatkul
Thanet Thampibal
Sangjan Hathaivasiwong
Sutatip Buranasatitnon
Tadsaphorn Phookjit
Oranut Srihadom
Natthawoot Oysrisakul

Abstract

Silicosis is an irreversible occupational lung disease caused by inhaling respirable crystalline silica. Silicosis poses a major public health challenge worldwide. The International Labour Organization (ILO) and the World Health Organization (WHO) have established a program to eliminate silicosis by 2030. However, despite these efforts, silicosis cases are still rising and reemerging in various industries and sectors. The authors report a case of chronic silicosis with a history of short-term silica exposure in a mining worker in Nakorn Sri Thammarat province, Thailand. The patient later developed progressive dyspnea and an abnormal chest radiograph. At present, the patient is undergoing supportive treatment, and his clinical symptom has been stable. This case study aims to raise awareness regarding the potential risks of chronic silicosis associated with relatively short-term duration of respirable crystalline silica exposure.

Article Details

How to Cite
1.
Tangsurased K, Dumavibhat N, Chansaengpetch S, Virojskulchai T, Bunman S, Ingviya T, Jaroonpipatkul A, Thampibal T, Hathaivasiwong S, Buranasatitnon S, Phookjit T, Srihadom O, Oysrisakul N. Chronic Silicosis as the Potential Consequence of Short-Term Exposure to Silica: A Case Report. BKK Med J [Internet]. 2024 Feb. 29 [cited 2024 Dec. 3];20(1):29. Available from: https://he02.tci-thaijo.org/index.php/bkkmedj/article/view/265942
Section
Case Report

References

Mandrioli D, Schlünssen V, Ádám B, et al. WHO/ILO work related burden of disease and injury: Protocol for systematic reviews of occupational exposure to dusts and/or fibres and of the effect of occupational exposure to dusts and/or fibres on pneumoconiosis. Environ Int 2018;119:174–85. doi: 10.1016/j.envint.2018.06.005.

The Lancet Respiratory Medicine. The world is failing on silicosis. Lancet Respir Med 2019;7(4):283. doi: 10.1016/ S2213-2600(19)30078-5.

Liu X, Jiang Q, Wu P, et al. Global incidence, prevalence and disease burden of silicosis: 30 years’ overview and forecasted trends. BMC Public Health 2023;23(1):1366. doi: 10.1186/ s12889-023-16295-2.

Ministry of Public Health. Health Data Center HDC. Silicosis case report in 2022. [Internet]. (Accessed 2023 July 29, 2023 at https://hdcservice.moph.go.th/hdc/reports/report. php?source=envocc/format1.php&cat_id=f16421e617aed29 602f9f09d951cce68&id=39b969f3d3eac09dd372c2258dc 6c232).

International Labour Office, editor. Guidelines for the use of the ILO international classification of radiographs of pneu moconioses. Revised edition 2011. Geneva: International Labour Office; 2011.

Dumavibhat N, Matsui T, Hoshino E, et al. Radiographic progression of silicosis among Japanese tunnel workers in Kochi. J Occup Health 2013;55:142-8. doi: 10.1539/joh.12 0258-oa.

Yates DH, Johnson AR. Silicosis and other silica-related lung disorders. In: Occupational and environmental lung disease. Eur Respir Monogr 2020;89:150-75. doi:10.1183/2312508X.10034819

Dumavibhat N, Chansaengpetch S, Virojskulchai T, et al. Occupational diseases: silicosis. In: Buranatrevedh S, editor. Guidelines for surveillance and investigation of occupational diseases and environmental diseases under occupational diseases and environmental diseases control Act B.E.2562 (A.D.2019). Bangkok: Aksorn Graphic and Design Publishing House; 2023:31-52. 32 The Bangkok Medical Journal Vol. 20, No.1; February 2024 occurrence of chronic silicosis, even following a short duration of exposure, which warrants careful attention and further investigations. Statement of Ethics This study protolcol was reviewed and approved by the Human Research Ethics Committee of Thammasat University (Medicine) (225/2023). A written informed consent was obtained from the subject for publication of their details and any accompanying images. Acknowledgements We would like to express our gratitude to Mr. Prapatsorn Chewsuwan and Miss Phattinan Jinnawong, Donsak District’s public health officers for their support in completing this case study.

Youngchaiyud P, Dumavibhat N. Evaluation of pulmonary impairment. In: Manual for assessing permanent impairment, electronic edition 2022. Bangkok: Saengchan printing Ltd.;2022:593-622.

Nowak-Pasternak J, Lipińska-Ojrzanowska A, Świątkowska B. Silicosis after short-term exposure. Occup Med (Lond) 2023;73(1):33-5. doi: 10.1093/occmed/kqac113.

Nakládalová M, Štěpánek L, Kolek V, et al. A case of accelerated silicosis. Occup Med (Lond) 2018;68(7):482-4. doi: 10.1093/ occmed/kqy106.

Doney BC, Miller WE, Hale JM, et al. Estimation of the number of workers exposed to respirable crystalline silica by industry: analysis of OSHA compliance data (1979‐2015). Am J Ind Med 2020;63(6):465–77. doi: 10.1002/ajim.23109

Centers for disease control and prevention, National institute for occupational safety and health. Silicosis: primary industries associated with silica exposure of silicosis cases by state, 1993-2002. [Internet]. 2023 (Accessed October 15, 2023, at https://wwwn.cdc.gov/eWorld/Data/445. 2023.).

Leung CC, Yu ITS, Chen W. Silicosis. Lancet 2012;379(9830):2008-18. doi: 10.1016/S0140 6736(12)60235-9.

Akgün M, Ergan B. Silicosis in Turkey: Is it an Endless Nightmare or is There Still Hope? Turk Thorac J 2018;19(2):89-93. doi: 10.5152/TurkThoracJ.2018.040189.

Rupani MP. Challenges and opportunities for silicosis prevention and control: need for a national health program on silicosis in India. J Occup Med Toxicol 2023;18(1):11. doi: 10.1186/ s12995-023-00379-1.

Fan Y, Xu W, Wang Y, et al. Association of occupational dust exposure with combined chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and pneumoconiosis: a cross-sectional study in China. BMJ Open 2020;10(9):e038874. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2020-038874.

Wikipedia. Khao Soon. [Internet]. 2022 . (Accessed 2023 October 15, 2023 at https://th.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E0%B9 %80%E0%B8%82%E0%B8%B2%E0%B8%A8%E0%B8% B9%E0%B8%99%E0%B8%A2%E0%B9%8C).