The Queensland Government recently offered a $5 million grant for medical research into occupational dust lung disease over four years from 2021 to 2023.

Occupational dust lung disease impacts the lives of affected workers and their families and is a public health issue because there are limited proven treatment options.

There is also a need to build a greater understanding of the disease pathway – from the risks of exposure, the type of dust causing the most harm, and further investigation of treatment options.

The grant opportunity will support research for the benefit of Queensland workers with occupational dust lung disease, in particular coal workers’ pneumoconiosis and silicosis, in one or more of the following priority areas:

• Understanding the pathogenesis of silicosis (including accelerated silicosis) and coal workers’ pneumoconiosis.
• Identifying factors to determine disease severity and risk of disease progression (linked to the ability to return to work).
• Determining the efficacy and sensitivity of methods for early diagnosis, prevention and progression of disease, including anti-fibrotic medications, pulmonary rehabilitation, whole lung lavage and other developing treatments.

Interested parties are required to submit an expression of interest via the QTenders website. Applicants must be based in Queensland, however, joint expressions of interest with interstate or international research partners are encouraged.

It is important to note funding may also be apportioned between successful applicants if there are multiple, meritorious projects which support the Government’s important research objectives.

Article originally published by the Australian Institute of Health and Safety.

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