1979 - 2013
- 561 cases of silicosis were confirmed between 1979 and 2013, an average of 18 new cases a year.
- Although the majority of silicosis cases were men, 1 county in NJ had the highest proportion of female to male deaths due to silicosis in a single US county between 1995-2004.
- Silicosis cases of Black race were overrepresented in NJ's historic foundries and steel works.
- Over the past 3 decades, the number of cases identified in manufacturing, mining and transportation declined while those in the construction and services sectors increased.
- Cases exposed to silica dust while working in the construction industry quadrupled after 1992.
- Leading worksites associated with multiple cases of silicosis were
- China plumbing and bathroom fixtures manufacturing
- Foundries and steel works
- Sand mines
- China plate and dish manufacturers
- 41% of NJ silicosis cases were exposed while working as machine operators or laborers.
- Silicosis was identified an average of 8 years earlier in sandblasters than in workers who had never sandblasted.
- Silicosis cases tend to be diagnosed late in life, making timely worksite interventions challenging.