From Silicosis to Chronic Respiratory diseases: an approach via epidemiological history (in France, Europe, Southern Africa, from the 1900s until today)

Advanced Grant (AdG), SH6, ERC-2011-ADG

Project acronym: SILICOSIS

Project: From Silicosis to Chronic Respiratory diseases: an approach via epidemiological history (in France, Europe, Southern Africa, from the 1900s until today)

Researcher (PI): Paul-André Rosental

Host Institution (HI): Fondation Nationale Des Sciences Politiques, France

Start date: 2012-06-01, End date: 2017-05-31

Summary: «Silicosis, a pathology caused by the inhalation of crystalline silica dust, is the deadly occupational disease in history. Contrary to what some may think, it does not belong to a remote past as it struck massively in the 20th century and is still present in industrial societies, and is growing in emerging countries. SILICOSIS seeks to re-evaluate the epidemiological importance of silicosis by combining history, social science and public health. Indeed, its medical definition was literally, and minimally, bargained in the 1930s by employers and unions and States under the aegis of International Labour Organization. This truncated basis has continued to have its effects and led to a massive underreporting of the cases of silicosis, many of which were declared as tuberculosis. In this view, SILICOSIS will aim, first, at a rereading of the 20th century epidemiology of silicosis and tuberculosis from a transnational perspective by comparing European and Southern African mining fields, two regions particularly hit. It will also aim at analysing the real magnitude of silicosis today, mainly in the non mining sector, by questioning contemporary medical classifications. By combining history and social science with scientific knowledge drawn from pneumology, SILICOSIS will show to what extent a series of other chronic inflammatory diseases (sarcoidosis, rheumatoid arthritis and some others) is likely to be caused by the inhalation of silica dust. Last but not least, SILICOSIS hopes to contribute to a better prevention and awareness of dangers of inhalation of silica dust outside the mining sector. In order to fulfil these objectives, SILICOSIS will propose an innovative approach through the combined methods of history, medicine and quantitative social science on the basis of the most advanced techniques of lung tissues analysis, an approach that will be repeatable on other occupational and environmental diseases.»