Silicosis is an occupational lung disease characterized by a progressive worsening of lung function caused by inflammation and scarring in the lungs due to exposure to airborne crystalline silica. Crystalline silica (eg, quartz dust) is used as a blasting agent and frequently affects people working in mining, masonry, sandblasting, quarrying, stone cutting, construction, and glass or abrasives manufacturing.

Common findings include shortness of breath, cough, weight loss, fatigue, chest pain, and possible fever. Chronic silicosis occurs after small exposures over 10-30 years. Accelerated silicosis is similar to chronic silicosis, but symptoms appear before 10 years of exposure. Acute silicosis is rare and occurs after large exposures within a few years, and sometimes weeks.

The disease is very preventable with the use of appropriate workplace safety equipment. It is incredibly unlikely in patients without an overt environmental exposure.