Silicosis, an occupational lung disease, is a respiratory disease
caused by inhalation of silica dust. When crystalline silica (a
component of silica dust) is inhaled, it causes inflammation of
the lung tissue. This inflammation leads to scar tissue formation
on the lungs, also known as nodules, which obstructs the flow of
oxygen into the lungs and into the bloodstream. Before it was
identified and named in the 1930s, silicosis was known by a
variety of names, such as dust consumption, grinder's asthma,
grinder's rot, grit consumption, mason's disease, miner's asthma,
miner's phthisis, potter's rot, rock tuberculosis, and
stonemason's disease.
Types of Silicosis
There are three types of silicosis: chronic silicosis, accelerated
silicosis, and acute silicosis.
Chronic silicosis - occurs due to long-term exposure to low
amounts of silica (10 to 20 years).
Accelerated silicosis - also known as progressive massive
fibrosis; occurs more quickly than chronic silicosis, usually due
to exposure to larger amounts of silica over a shorter period of
time (five to 10 years).
Acute silicosis - occurs due to short-term exposure to extremely
large amounts of silica. Acute silicosis can develop within
several weeks or up to five years after exposure.
Silicosis has also been linked to adverse health effects such as
tuberculosis and lung cancer.
Silica Exposure
Silica, or silicon dioxide, is a naturally occurring mineral that
is composed of one silicon atom and two oxygen atoms. When silica
molecules line up and create a repeating pattern they form a
crystal (crystalline silica). Different crystal patterns are given
different names, such as quartz, cristobalite, and tridymite, to
name a few. People who work with quartz and other types of
crystalline silica are at an increased risk of silica exposure.
Silica exposure most often occurs in people who work in
construction, mining, sandblasting, stonecutting, abrasives
manufacturing, and in people who work with glass, pottery, and on
railroads.
Silicosis Prevention
Although there is no cure for silicosis, it can be prevented with
occupational safety measures. There has been a marked decrease in
the number of silicosis cases since the Occupational Safety and
Health Administration (OSHA) implemented regulations that require
the use of protective equipment when working with silica dust.
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Chronic silicosis - occurs due to long-term exposure to low
amounts of silica (10 to 20 years).
