Exposure assessment to quartz in construction workers with a elevated risk to silicosis

Construction workers are often exposed to quartz containing materials, and
after repeated inhalation this can result in silicosis. It's is difficult to
reconstruct exposure in the past, mostly this is done by registering the job
title and tasks. A recently developed method can be helpful to give more
insight in exposure by assessing type, size, distribution and the concentration
of particles in collected sputum of construction workers. This project can
increase the insight in composition and the quantity of exposure to
construction dust in individual workers by analyzing induced sputum.

which particles can be found in induced sputum of construction workers? What is
the composition, size and concentration of quartz particles measured in sputum
of the different exposure groups?

This observational study will be performed within a screening program for
silicosis (regular health care). Construction workers with an increased risk to
silicosis will be invited for a medical examination at the UMC Utrecht. At the
same time they are asked if they are willing to provide us of induced sputum.
We expect that 400 persons (including 100 controls) will participate. Most
people will be asked to participate only once. About 20 persons will be asked
if they are willing to participate another 2 times, to study the
reproducibility of the method.

In most participants sputum will be collected only once. The total estimated
time is 45 minutes. Because the participants visit the clinic for the medical
part, the additional burden of time will be low. There are no health risks
associated with sputum induction.
In 20 construction workers 2 additional sputum samples will be collected, so
this takes another 1.5 hours. They will be visited at their home address (if
they agree).
The collected sputum can increase our insights in the amount and type of
recently and cumulative exposure to quartz dust by construction work. This can
help us in the desicion-making of the type of measures that can be taken to
limit exposure to construction dust. Furthermore, this information can be
useful in further screening of silicosis.