Silicosis Compensation in Western Australian Gold Miners Since the Introduction of Occupational Exposure Standard for Crystalline Silica

N.H. De Klerk, Nicholas De Klerk, Gina Ambrosini, S.C. Pang, Arthur Musk

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

6 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Occupational exposure limits for crystalline silica are under review worldwide because of the large numbers of exposed people and, especially, because of the recent International Agency for Research on Cancer classification of silica as a human carcinogen.Objectives: The aims of this study were to (i) re-examine the incidence of silicosis in Western Australian gold miners and, using estimates of the total population at risk, (ii) estimate the upper confidence limit for the risk of silicosis in Western Australian gold miners since 1974, when the current exposure standard for crystalline silica was implemented.Methods: Work histories of cases compensated for pneumoconiosis after 1974 were examined. Numbers of workers in the total workforce likely to be exposed to crystalline silica in Western Australia were estimated as the population at risk.Results: There were no cases of compensated silicosis in Western Australian miners whose first dust exposure began during or after 1974. The upper 95% confidence interval for this zero rate was estimated to be 4.8 per 100000 person-yr;Conclusions: There have been no compensated cases of silicosis in Western Australia among miners first exposed to crystalline silica after introduction of the current exposure standard. A rate of compensated silicosis higher than five cases per 100000 person-yr is unlikely.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)687-692
JournalAnnals of Occupational Hygiene
Volume46
Issue number8
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2002

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Silicosis Compensation in Western Australian Gold Miners Since the Introduction of Occupational Exposure Standard for Crystalline Silica'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this