Biomarkers of silicosis: Potential candidates

Silica dust is widely prevalent in the atmosphere and more common than other types of dust, thus making silicosis the most frequently pneumoconiosis. In India also, studies carried out by Institute of Occupational Health have shown high prevalence of in small factories and even in nonoccupational exposed. The postero-anterior chest radiographs remain the key tool in and assessing the extent and severity of interstitial lung. Although Computed Tomography detects finer anatomical than radiography it could not get popularity because of its. On the basis of histological features of silicosis many potential such as Cytokines, Tumor Necrosis Factor, Interleukin 1, Converting Enzyme, Serum Copper, Fas ligand (FasL), etc. been tried. However, further studies are needed to establish these biomarkers as true biomarker of silicosis.