Silicosis in Turkey: Is it an Endless Nightmare or is There Still Hope?

AKGÜN M., Ergan B.

TURKISH THORACIC JOURNAL, cilt.19, sa.2, ss.89-93, 2018 (ESCI) identifier identifier identifier

  • Yayın Türü: Makale / Derleme
  • Cilt numarası: 19 Sayı: 2
  • Basım Tarihi: 2018
  • Doi Numarası: 10.5152/turkthoracj.2018.040189
  • Dergi Adı: TURKISH THORACIC JOURNAL
  • Derginin Tarandığı İndeksler: Emerging Sources Citation Index (ESCI), Scopus
  • Sayfa Sayıları: ss.89-93
  • Anahtar Kelimeler: Epidemiology, silica, silicosis, prevention, pneumoconiosis, occupational lung diseases, DENIM SANDBLASTERS, PNEUMOCONIOSIS, DISEASES, OLD, PREVALENCE, WORKING, HEALTH, JEANS
  • Atatürk Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet

Özet

Silicosis is an ancient but still life-threatening occupational lung disease because of its incurable nature. Although its risks are known in many occupational settings and effective control strategies are well established, new cases, even epidemics, continue to occur in different sectors of Turkey. Before taking action, defining the magnitude of the problem is essential. In this concise review, we aimed to present the current situation of silicosis in Turkey. According to the data available to date, silicosis continues to be a major health problem in different sectors. Sandblasting seems to have the highest risk for the development of silicosis. Disease onset at early age and history of short exposure duration may indicate intense silica exposure. After denim sandblasters, dental technicians seem to be the new and recently recognized high-risk occupation group as per the increasing reports.