Health effects of occupational silica exposure studied

Researchers at Curtin University have predicted that more than 10,000 Australian workers will develop lung cancer in their lifetime from silica exposure.

In the study funded by the Australian Council of Trade Unions (ACTU), researchers predicted the number of Australians who would develop lung cancer in their lifetime from silica dust exposure using a unique method.

“Our modelling predicts more than 10,000 Australians will develop lung cancer and up to 103,000 workers will be diagnosed with silicosis as the result of their current exposure to silica dust at work,” lead researcher Dr Renee Carey from the Curtin School of Population Health said.

“We estimated that more than half a million Australian workers are currently exposed to silica dust across various industries, including construction, mining and quarrying, and manufacturing jobs.”

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