© 2004 American Public Health Association
David J. Valiante and Donald P. Schill are with the New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services, Occupational Health Surveillance Program, Trenton, NJ. Kenneth D. Rosenman is with the Department of Medicine, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Mich. Edward Socie is with the Ohio Department of Health, Columbus, Ohio. Correspondence: Requests for reprints should be sent to David J. Valiante, MS, CIH, NJ Dept of Health and Senior Services, Occupational Health Surveillance Program, Trenton, NJ 08625 (e-mail: david.valiante{at}doh.state.nj.us).
Objectives. We describe an emerging public health concern regarding silicosis in the fast-growing highway repair industry. Methods. We examined highway construction trends, silicosis surveillance case data, and environmental exposure data to evaluate the risk of silicosis among highway repair workers. We reviewed silicosis case data from the construction industry in 3 states that have silicosis registries, and we conducted environmental monitoring for silica at highway repair work sites. Results. Our findings indicate that a large population of highway workers is at risk of developing silicosis from exposure to crystalline silica. Conclusions. Exposure control methods, medical screenings, protective health standards, and safety-related contract language are necessary for preventing future occupational disease problems among highway repair workers.
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