Silicosis: Lung disease caused by Silica Dust

Silicosis is a kind of pulmonary fibrosis produced by inhaling microscopic particles of silica, a mineral present in sand, quartz, and many other types of rock. Silicosis primarily affects individuals in industries like mining and construction who are exposed to silica dust. The lungs become scarred as a result of prolonged exposure to silica particles, which can make breathing difficult. Silicosis is the most prevalent lung disease caused by silica dust in the world.

How does it Affect Your Body?

The silica mineral is inhaled by people when they breathe silica dust. The silica dust particles have the potential to cause lung inflammation over time, which can result in lung nodules and pulmonary fibrosis, a kind of lung scarring. It typically takes this degenerative disease 10 to 30 years after the initial exposure for symptoms to appear. Lung capacity declines with time, and patients who have this lung disease causes by silica dust, especially those who have Progressive Massive Fibrosis, may require oxygen assistance and other breathing aids.

This scarring can be so bad in some silicosis cases that it causes Progressive Massive Fibrosis (PMF), a severe form of fibrosis. It may be challenging for these people to breathe because of the severe lung stiffness and scarring. Additionally, having silicosis raises your risk of developing tuberculosis, lung cancer, and chronic bronchitis.

Who Is at Risk?

The most abundant mineral in the earth’s crust is silica. Therefore, silicosis is caused by exposure to silica dust that can occur while working in any vocation that includes drilling, chipping, cutting, or grinding earth, granite, slate, sandstone, or other natural materials. Among high-risk professions are:

• Construction work, such as jackhammering, rock drilling and chipping, tunnelling, sandblasting, asphalt milling, and cutting concrete and brick
• Manufacture of stone countertops, particularly employing engineered stone
• Foundry work
• Ceramics manufacturing
• Mining and hydraulic fracturing (fracking)

What Are the Symptoms of Silicosis?

Symptoms of silicosis

commonly manifest after many years of exposure. Early symptoms include a slight cough, sputum production, and developing shortness of breath. First warning indications of a problem could involve an irregular chest X-ray and a developing cough as the scarring gets worse.

Numerous symptoms could manifest if the lung scarring has gotten worse. These frequently include bronchitis-like signs and symptoms such as a chronic cough, shortness of breath, and breathing problems. Additionally, people experience bluish discolouration of the lips, weakness, exhaustion, fever, night sweating, and leg swelling.

A problem is more likely to arise the longer silicosis is left untreated. Patients with silicosis are more likely to acquire tuberculosis, lung cancer, COPD, and renal disease because the illness damages the immune system.