Development of quantitative exposure data for a pooled exposure-response analysis of 10 silica cohorts

Background Comprehensive quantitative silica exposure estimates over time, measured in the same units across a number of cohorts, would make possible a pooled exposure‐response analysis for lung cancer. Such an analysis would help clarify the continuing controversy regarding whether silica causes lu...

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Published in:American journal of industrial medicine 2002-08, Vol.42 (2), p.73-86
Main Authors: 't Mannetje, Andrea, Steenland, Kyle, Checkoway, Harvey, Koskela, Riitta-Sisko, Koponen, Matti, Attfield, Michael, Chen, Jingqiong, Hnizdo, Eva, DeKlerk, Nicholas, Dosemeci, Mustafa
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Biological and medical sciences
Chemical and industrial products toxicology. Toxic occupational diseases
Cohort Studies
cohorts
crystalline silica
diatomaceous earth
Dust
Extraction and Processing Industry
granite
Humans
industrial sand
Lung Neoplasms - epidemiology
Lung Neoplasms - etiology
Medical sciences
metal mines
Metals and various inorganic compounds
Occupational Diseases - epidemiology
Occupational Diseases - etiology
Occupational Exposure - adverse effects
Occupational Exposure - analysis
pottery
quantitative exposure estimates
Silicon Dioxide - adverse effects
Silicon Dioxide - analysis
Time Factors
Toxicology
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Summary:Background Comprehensive quantitative silica exposure estimates over time, measured in the same units across a number of cohorts, would make possible a pooled exposure‐response analysis for lung cancer. Such an analysis would help clarify the continuing controversy regarding whether silica causes lung cancer. Methods Existing quantitative exposure data for 10 silica‐exposed cohorts were retrieved from the original investigators. Occupation‐ and time‐specific exposure estimates were either adopted/adapted or developed for each cohort, and converted to milligram per cubic meter (mg/m3) respirable crystalline silica. Results Quantitative exposure assignments were typically based on a large number (thousands) of raw measurements, or otherwise consisted of exposure estimates by experts (for two cohorts). Median exposure level of the cohorts ranged between 0.04 and 0.59 mg/m3 respirable crystalline silica. Exposure estimates were partially validated via their successful prediction of silicosis in these cohorts. Conclusions Existing data were successfully adopted or modified to create comparable quantitative exposure estimates over time for 10 silica‐exposed cohorts, permitting a pooled exposure‐response analysis. The difficulties encountered in deriving common exposure estimates across cohorts are discussed. Am. J. Ind. Med. 42:73–86, 2002. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
ISSN:0271-3586
1097-0274
DOI:10.1002/ajim.10097