Patologie delle alte vie aeree ed esposizione professionale nella produzione di cemento

Cement is an hydraulic binding material, i.e. a product that when mixed with water can harden and set thanks to the presence of compounds such as silicates, aluminates and calcium ferrites. Since the cement production is a dusty industrial process, the health of workers in this sector has been monitored for many years. Contrasting results have been obtained from studies aimed at ascertaining the effects of cement on the respiratory tract. The aim of this brief review was to analyse the studies conducted to observe the inflammatory and neo-plastic pathologies of the upper-respiratory tract due to occupational exposure to cement. Studies currently available in the literature do not enable us to define the role of exposure to dust during cement manufacturing in the onset of disease of the upper respiratory tract. The Authors therefore believe it would be of scientific interest to set up a study protocol based on large populations working in this sector, so as to provide reliable data regarding the risk that this type of exposure might lead to the development of the aforementioned disease.