Simple Siliceous Pneumoconiosis in Negev Bedouins

Abstract

The purpose of this retrospective study is to evaluate the siliceous dust content in the lungs of a population for whom the Negev formed permanent habitat. The material consisted of 54 Bedouin autopsy lung specimens. The microscopical study revealed the presence of silica dust particles in the lung tissue distributed in the lymphatic bed in early involvement and in fibrous scars in advanced involvement. No classical collagenous silicotic nodules could be observed. The preponderant involvement of Bedouin women was explained by their habitual higher exposure to siliceous desert dust. It is suggested that the harmlessness of the dust accumulated in Bedouin lungs is due to its being “old dust” particles less than 5μ in diameter that had originated from dunes of the Negev desert. The benignity of this nonclinical entity prompted us to name it simple siliceous pneumoconiosis.