What is silicosis? 

Silicosis is an incurable lung disease caused by breathing in tiny particles of silica dust. It’s usually commonly found in the earth’s crust and is contained in materials such as: 

• Quartz; 

• Sand; 

• Stone; 

• Granite; and 

• Brick among others.

The disease causes scarring, swelling and fluid build-up in the lungs that can make it difficult for a person to breathe.  In severe cases, it can advance to progressive massive fibrosis, with life-threatening consequences. 

Silicosis symptoms

Silicosis symptoms can take years to develop, even after your exposure to silica dust has ended. Progression of silicosis symptoms can vary from person to person, and some people may not develop any symptoms.  

The silicosis symptoms for the three types of silicosis include:  

Industries most at risk of silicosis

• Mining;  

• Construction;  

• Demolition;   

• Waste management; 

• Automobile repairs; 

• Cleaning; 

• Engineering; and  

• Stonemasonry.  

Note: Exposure to silica dust isn’t limited to these industries.

If your work involves the below, you may have been exposed to silica dust:

• Breaking, cutting, crushing, grinding, quarrying or milling material containing silica dust  

• sandblasting or casting  

• Paving, surfacing or cement finishing  

• Bricklaying  

• Road construction  

• Mineral ore-treating processes  

• Manufacture of glass, dental material, jewellery, ceramics, brick, concrete, tile, metals or machinery.

Non-occupational exposure to silica dust  

Less commonly known is that exposure to silica dust isn’t limited to the workplace.  

For some, exposure can occur in the following circumstances:

• Living or staying near industrial factories or sites that operate in the following: 

• Quartz crushing;  

• Agate grinding;  

• Ceramics;  

• Slate pencils;  

• Mining and milling of sandstones/silica flour;  

• Living or staying near natural sources of silica such as desert dust or sand; and 

• Contact with uniforms/protective gear that are covered with silica dust/ particles.

What to do if you’re exposed to silicosis?  

Whether you have been exposed directly, or indirectly, to silica dust and begin to experience symptoms of silicosis it’s important to seek legal advice as soon as possible.  

With strict time limitations for silicosis legal claims, a detailed record of your silica exposure, diagnosis and the right advice from a toxic exposure and dust disease legal expert will help to support your claim.