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.