Risk of Lung Cancer in Foundry Workers

Running head: RISK OF LUNG CANCER IN FOUNDRY WORKERS
RISK OF LUNG CANCER IN FOUNDRY WORKERS
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1RISK OF LUNG CANCER IN FOUNDRY WORKERS
Table of Contents
Introduction................................................................................................................................2
Discussion..................................................................................................................................2
Chemical Agent: Silica (SiO2)...............................................................................................2
Chemical Agent: Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon (PAH).................................................3
Guidelines..................................................................................................................................5
Silica exposure.......................................................................................................................5
PAH exposure........................................................................................................................5
Treatment...................................................................................................................................5
Conclusion..................................................................................................................................6
References..................................................................................................................................7

2RISK OF LUNG CANCER IN FOUNDRY WORKERS
Introduction
Respiratory cancer has been a major concern among workers of heavy industries worldwide.
Production of iron and steel-based materials has increased exponentially with global inflation
of population and utility of metallurgic components have contributed into it. Several
components like silica, cadmium, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) have emerged in
greater concentration than ever before as a principal by-product of these industries. Labourers
are the most exposed and in incessant contact with these toxic chemicals frequently
developing variety of diseases like lung cancer, cancer of the urinary tract, hepatic cancer and
several others. All of these chemical agents are recognized as carcinogenic by International
Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) and emissions should be regulated within limits.
Discussion
Chemical Agent: Silica (SiO2)
Iron foundries are the principal producer of silica. In environment, silica is present in the
form of silicon dioxide (SiO2) and can be of two types-amorphous and crystalline.
Crystalline silicon dioxide is the most abundant form of silica emanated by foundry
industries, which has a diameter of <10μm. Such small-sized particles can easily pass
undetected through the primary barrier of human respiratory system (nasal hair, the pharynx)
reaching directly to the lungs. Prolonged exposure to SiO2 results in several types of silicosis,
tuberculosis, mycobacterial infection, progressive massive fibrosis (PMF) in foundry workers
[1].
In 2012, International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) had mentioned crystallized
silicon dioxide or quartz as a potential compound, which needs refocus for evaluating