Cement dust and environmental diseases

Article information

J Korean Med Assoc. 2012;55(3):230-233

Publication date (electronic) : 2012 March 09

doi : https://doi.org/10.5124/jkma.2012.55.3.230

Jong-Han Leem, MD

Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Inha University Hospital, Incheon, Korea.

Corresponding author: Jong-Han Leem, ekeeper@inha.ac.kr

Received 2011 December 12; Accepted 2011 December 27.

Abstract

Even in the 21st century, some working environments still expose workers to cement dust. Many people are also exposed to cement dusts particles in their living environment, such as near cement production facilities and areas under construction. The cement industry is involved in the development of the physical infrastructure of advanced industrial society but generates dust during its production. The classic type of pneumoconiosis in coal workers has decreased, but recently, adverse health effects due to exposure to cement dust has increased in construction workers. Cement dust contains fine and ultrafine particles, 0.05-5.0 µm in aerodiameter, which can penetrate into the lung parenchyma and cause toxic damage. Cement dust can cause lung function impairment, chronic obstructive lung disease, pneumoconiosis, and carcinoma of the lungs. Other studies have shown that cement dust may contain toxic heavy metals, such as hexavalent chromium, nickel, and cobalt. Cement dust may cause inflammatory changes in the skin, and often leads to skin diseases or autoimmune diseases. Therefore, close surveillance to monitor the potential toxic effects of cement dust and intervention to minimize its health risks is needed.

Keywords: Cement dust; Silicon dioxide; Heavy metal; Pneumoconiosis; Neoplasms

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