Researchers from Monash University are looking for workers in the engineered stone industry to develop a non-invasive test to screen workers. The first step of the study is to secure breath samples from people who have already been diagnosed with silicosis from working with engineered stone.
This is the information the researchers have provided:
We are a group of researchers at Monash University recruiting current and past engineered stone workers diagnosed with silicosis. We will ask them to provide a sample of their breath which we will analyse to see if it is different to those who haven’t been exposed to silica.
Your potential participation is for a total of about 1 hour. It involves approximately 15 minutes of normal breathing into a mouthpiece whilst comfortably seated, followed by collection of a small blood sample. You will be accompanied by our team throughout these processes.
If you choose to participate, your breath sample and blood test will be performed at Monash University in Clayton. You will be provided with some compensation for your travel and time.
Overall, our aim for this research project is to identify a profile of chemicals in exhaled breath that are unique to silicosis.
Our ultimate goal is to use these newly identified chemicals to develop a new non-invasive breath test to screen people at risk for early signs of silicosis.
Your participation could help us to improve screening for workers exposed to workplace dust, including in other construction industries like mining or tunnelling to detect disease earlier and contribute to improved health outcomes and quality of life.
If you are over 18, have been diagnosed with silicosis and are interested in participating, please contact Paris Papagianis ([email protected] or 0433927197) from Bourke Laboratory, Dept Pharmacology, Monash University for more details.