PT - JOURNAL ARTICLE AU - Noa Ophir AU - Amir Bar Shai AU - Yifat Alkalay AU - Shani Israeli AU - Rafi Korenstein AU - Mordechai R. Kramer AU - Elizabeth Fireman TI - Artificial stone dust-induced functional and inflammatory abnormalities in exposed workers monitored quantitatively by biometrics AID - 10.1183/23120541.00086-2015 DP - 2016 Jan 01 TA - ERJ Open Research PG - 00086-2015 VI - 2 IP - 1 4099 - http://openres.ersjournals.com/content/2/1/00086-2015.short 4100 - http://openres.ersjournals.com/content/2/1/00086-2015.full SO - erjor2016 Jan 01; 2 AB - The manufacture of kitchen and bath countertops in Israel is based mainly on artificial stone that contains 93% silica as natural quartz, and ∼3500 workers are involved in cutting and processing it. Artificial stone produces high concentrations of silica dust. Exposure to crystalline silica may cause silicosis, an irreversible lung disease. Our aim was to screen exposed workers by quantitative biometric monitoring of functional and inflammatory parameters.68 exposed artificial stone workers were compared to 48 nonexposed individuals (controls). Exposed workers filled in questionnaires, and all participants underwent pulmonary function tests and induced sputum analyses. Silica was quantitated by a Niton XL3 X-ray fluorescence spectrometer.Pulmonary function test results of exposed workers were significantly lower and induced sputa showed significantly higher neutrophilic inflammation compared to controls; both processes were slowed down by the use of protective measures in the workplace. Particle size distribution in induced sputum samples of exposed workers was similar to that of artificial stone dust, which contained aluminium, zirconium and titanium in addition to silica.In conclusion, the quantitation of biometric parameters is useful for monitoring workers exposed to artificial stone in order to avoid deterioration over time.Novel biomarkers in induced sputum can detect and monitor lung injury from artificial dust-induced silicosis http://ow.ly/YriTo