What is Silicosis?

Silicosis is a scarring disease of the lung caused by inhaling fine particles of crystalline silica dust. Silicosis can worsen over time, especially with continued or high levels of dust exposure. The disease typically takes 5–20 years after first exposure to appear. Dry cough and shortness of breath are early symptoms of disease. Chest imaging usually shows nodules or calcified lymph nodes. Lung function testing may be normal early in disease, but lungs may become restricted and oxygen levels abnormal as silicosis progresses.  There is no proven treatment that reverses silicosis, but optimal lung health can be enhanced with good medical care and follow up.

Who gets silicosis?

Natural stone sources of crystalline silica include sandstone, quartz, and granite. Engineered (artificial) stone typically contains high concentrations of crystalline silica. People who work in the following industries may have exposure to silica dust:

• Engineered stone fabrication   
• Concrete mixing and cutting           
• Sandblasting  
• Brick and stone cutting
• Foundry work
• Construction  
• Metal mining
• Fracking (natural gas extraction)

What other diseases are associated with exposure to respirable silica dust?

• Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)
• Emphysema
• Tuberculosis and other lung infections
• Lung cancer
• Kidney disease
• Autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis

Silicosis is an old disease? Why is this important now?

Exposure to silica dust has been known to cause silicosis for centuries, yet many cases continue to occur in the United States and worldwide. More than 2 million people in the U.S. are exposed to silica dust at work. The latest (2017) Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Silica Standard has specific requirements for screening workers based on exposure levels to silica dust.

There are a number of ways to control exposure to silica and keep dust levels low so people are not at risk. Ventilation systems and other engineering controls can be used to minimize dust exposure. Wet methods attached to equipment for grinding, cutting, sawing and polishing often keep dust levels low. Good cleaning practices like avoiding dry sweeping of dust containing silica and use of approved respirators are other possible strategies for minimizing exposure. 

There is no cure for silicosis, but it is preventable. If workers are diagnosed with silicosis, they must be removed from exposure to minimize the risk for progression of lung disease and other disease complications of silica exposure.

What resources are available for silicosis patients?

If you have questions about silicosis, you can call the toll free number for the National Jewish Health Center of Excellence for Silicosis and Its Prevention at 877.255.5864.

Other available resources:

For workers:

If you have questions about silicosis, you can email or call the toll free or local number for the National Jewish Health Program on Silicosis and Its Prevention:

• silicosis@NJHealth.org
• Local: 303-270-2609, option 2
• Toll Free: 877-255-5864, option 2
• Para alcanzar el Programa de Silicosis, llame al 877-255-5864 y presione el numero dos

For medical providers:

If you are a medical provider for silica exposed patients and have questions or wish to make a referral to our Silicosis Clinic, please email our Silicosis Prevention Treatment Center at silicosis@NJHealth.org please complete the secure REDCap survey linked here: REDCap

• Hua JT, Rose CS, Redlich CA. Engineered Stone-Associated Silicosis-A Lethal Variant of an Ancient Disease JAMA Intern Med. 2023;183(9):908-910. doi:10.1001/jamainternmed.2023.3260
• Hua JT, Zell-Baran L, Go LHT, et al. Demographic, exposure and clinical characteristics in a multinational registry of engineered stone workers with silicosis. Occup Environ Med. 2022;79(9):586–593. doi:10.1136/oemed-2021-108190