Exposure Occupational

This prospective, multicenter study aims to evaluate the relevance of anti-CD146 autoantibodies (AACD146) as biological markers for the early diagnosis of pulmonary diseases related to occupational exposure to silica. Silica exposure is a recognized risk factor for fibrotic, inflammatory, and cancerous respiratory diseases. Currently, no specific biological marker exists. The hypothesis is that AACD146 reflects early effects of silica exposure. The study will include 110 participants divided into two groups (exposed vs. non-exposed) and will compare AACD146 prevalence according to exposure level and the presence of respiratory diseases.

The aim of the study is to describe professional exposures and health events among French military firefighters (both active-duty personnel and veterans) and identify potential relationships between the exposome (the total history of occupational and personal exposures) and health status in these populations. The study is based on a self-administered questionnaire that collects retrospective and present information about exposures and health conditions.