Source: Annual Congress 2007 - Inorganic dust "old timers and new kids on the block"
Disease area: Respiratory infections

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Denim sandblasting has gained importance recently as a cause of silicosis in our country. Inefficient working conditions, not taking the safety measures are considered as the primary causes being accused. A very important part of these cases begin working in this occupation in their young ages and the disease manifests in a short time. We present two cases of denim sandblasting silicosis diagnosed when the patients are under military service.
CASE 1: A 20 years old patient had cough and exertional dysnea for about one year. The patient had worked as a denim sandblaster between 2004 and 2006 years. Extensive micronodular appereance was seen on his thorax HRCT . Spirometric values were in normal limits. Transbronchial biopsy was not diagnostic. Bronchial fluid AFB and sputum AFB were reported as negative. CASE 2: A 20 years old male patient had cough and dyspnea for the last five years. He expressed that he had worked as a denim sandblaster for five years. Extensive and marked micronodular appereance was seen on his thorax HRCT. Spirometric values were in normal limits. There were findings suggesting silicosis in his transbonchial biopsy. Bronchial fluid AFB and sputum AFB were reported as negative. The cases were regarded as silicosis according to the exposure history, clinical, radiological and laboratory findings.
CONCLUSION: The appereance of denim sandblasting silicosis which is a preventable disease in young patients, in a short time, after a short latent period, suggests that a very high degree of exposure exists in their working places. Together with the reports from our country in the recent years, silicosis caused by denim sandblasting appears that it might be an important puplic health problem.

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Citations should be made in the following way:
O. Deniz, E. Tozkoparan, E. Ucar, H. Bilgic, K. Ekiz (Ankara, Turkey). Silicosis caused by denim sandblasting: presentation of two cases. Eur Respir J 2007; 30: Suppl. 51, 1024

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