For many years, several studies drew attention to the possible nephrotoxic effects of silica and distinct renal dysfunction involving glomerular and renal tubules in workers exposed to silica. To determine the early signs of subclinical nephrotoxic effects ...

Silica dust was suspected to affect the human kidney over 90 years ago.

The detected pathologic renal changes are similar to those induced by nephrotoxic heavy metals in the form of dose-related nephropathy that causes degenerative changes in tubular epithelium and interstitial inflammation, fibrous nephrosis, glomerulonephritis, and systemic vasculitis.

Additionally, it was demonstrated that silica exposed workers can experience distinct renal histologic alterations in glomerular and proximal tubules.

There is associated subclinical glomerular and tubular affection among silicaexposed workers, which is related to the duration and intensity of exposure.

Usage of urinary biomarkers to detect signs of preclinical glomerular and tubular affection seems to be a simple and non-invasive screening tool to identify silica-exposed workers who carry a higher risk of future nephropathy.