Diatoms in seas: a risk of silicosis for mariners ?

Abstract

In a recent article, it was highlighted that ocean waters contain a high concentration of diatoms [1]. Diatoms are algae whose properties are well known in occupational health, because one form of occupational exposure to silica comes from the use of diatomaceous earth. Some workers developed silicosis. Some mariners therefore wondered whether they themselves might be at risk of silicosis by navigating and working on these seas.