Clinical insights and exposure analysis of a series of sarcoidosis cases based on McIntyre Powder Project research and investigations.

Sarcoidosis is a rare multisystem granulomatous disease traditionally considered to be of unknown etiology. The notion that sarcoidosis has no known cause is called into question with the increasing number of case reports and epidemiologic studies showing associations between occupational exposures and disease published in the past 10–20 years. Occupational exposures for which associations are strongest and most consistent are silica and other inorganic dusts, World Trade Center (WTC) dust, and metals. Occupations identified as at-risk for sarcoidosis include construction workers; iron-foundry and diatomaceous earth workers; WTC emergency responders; and metal workers. We report here 12 cases of sarcoidosis in a cohort of hard-rock miners in Northern Ontario, Canada. We are not aware of any other published literature reporting sarcoidosis in hard-rock miners. Using occupational histories and air sampling data from the gold, uranium, and base-metal mines in which they worked, we examined exposure of each case to respirable crystalline silica (RCS), We also considered their exposure to McIntyre Powder, an aluminum powder used for silicosis prophylaxis.

This webinar features occupational medicine and lung disease specialist Dr. Christine Oliver, MD, MPH, MS, and OHCOW Occupational Hygienist Paul Sampara, MEng, ROH, discussing and learning about Sarcoidosis and Ontario mining exposures.

The event is hosted by Andrew Zarnke, OHCOW Project Director.