Issue No.12/2007 of the World Health Organization's Global Occupational Health Network (GOHNET) Newsletter focuses on silicosis elimination.

Silicosis is a form of pneumoconiosis caused by inhalation of crystalline silica dust and is characterized by shortness of breath, fever and cyanosis (bluish skin). The best way to prevent silicosis is to identify workplace activities that produce crystalline silica dust and then to eliminate or control the dust.

This Newsletter includes an article by Dr Igor Fedotov (ILO SafeWork Programme) and Dr Gerry Eijkemans (WHO Interventions for Healthy Environments, Occupational Health) on the ILO/WHO Global Programme for the Elimination of Silicosis (GPES), established following the recommendation of the 12th Session of the Joint ILO/WHO Committee on Occupational Health in 1995. ILO/WHO strongly believe that the global elimination of silicosis is a realistic goal that can be achieved through broad international collaboration supporting the implementation of national programmes for the elimination of silicosis.

For more information on silica and silicosis, see the ILO Encyclopaedia of Occupational Health and Safety. It includes chapters on Silicosis and Health Hazards of Mining and Quarrying .

Topics covered in previous issues of the GOHNET Newsletter include prevention of occupational cancer, psychosocial factors and mental health at work, child labour and adolescent workers.