Silicosis (classical)

Causes and Risks:
The risk factors include mining, stone cutting, quarrying, blasting, road and building construction, abrasives manufacturing, and many other occupations and hobbies that involve exposure to silica. Intense exposure to silica may result in disease in a year or less, but it usually takes at least 10 or 15 years of exposure before symptoms develop. The incidence is 5 out of 10,000 people. However, the incidence of silicosis is decreasing due to Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) regulations requiring the use of protective equipment.

Prevention:
If working in a high-risk occupation, wear dust masks and do not smoke. Other protection such as respirators may be indicated.

Symptoms:

Additional symptoms that may be associated with this disease:



Signs and Tests:



Treatment:
There is no specific treatment for silicosis. Supportive treatment includes cough suppression medications, bronchodilators, and oxygen if needed for shortness of breath . Antibiotics are prescribed for respiratory infections as needed.

Other considerations for treatment include limiting continued exposure to irritants, smoking cessation, and routine tuberculosis skin testing.

Prognosis:
The outcome varies and depends upon the extent of damage to the lungs.

Complications:



Call Your Healthcare Provider:
Call for an appointment with your health care provider if you have an occupational exposure to silica and symptoms develop.


This chest X-ray shows coal worker's lungs. There are diffuse, small, light areas on both sides (1 to 3 mm) in all parts of the lungs. Diseases that may result in an X-ray like this include: simple coal workers pneumoconiosis (CWP) - stage I, simple silicosis, miliary tuberculosis, histiocytosis X (eosinophilic granuloma), and other diffuse infiltrate pulmonary diseases.



This chest X-ray shows coal workers pneumoconiosis - stage II. There are diffuse, small (2 to 4 mm) light areas on both sides of the lungs. Diseases which may explain these X-ray findings include simple coal workers pneumoconiosis (CWP) - stage II, simple silicosis, disseminated tuberculosis, metastatic lung cancer, and other diffuse infiltrative pulmonary diseases.



This chest X-ray shows coal workers pneumoconiosis - stage II. There are diffuse, small (2 to 4 mm each), light areas throughout both lungs. In the right upper lung (seen on the left side of the picture), there is a light area (measuring approximately 2 cm by 4 cm) with poorly defined borders, representing coalescence (merging together) of previously distinct light areas. Diseases which may explain these X-ray findings include simple coal workers pneumoconiosis (CWP) - stage II, silico-tuberculosis, disseminated tuberculosis, metastatic lung cancer, and other diffuse infiltrative pulmonary diseases.



This picture shows complicated coal workers pneumoconiosis. There are diffuse, massive light areas that run together in the upper and middle parts of both lungs. These are superimposed on a background of small and poorly distinguishable light areas that are diffuse and located in both lungs. Diseases which may explain these X-ray findings include, but are not limited to: complicated coal workers pneumoconiosis (CWP), silico-tuberculosis, and metastatic lung cancer.