Silicosis Symptoms

Silicosis is a lung condition where lung inflammation and lung scarring make it difficult to breathe. Silicosis is caused by breathing in tiny crystalline silica particles that are 100 times smaller than ordinary sand. 

Crystalline silica is a naturally occurring mineral. It can be found in natural materials like stone, soil and sand; as well as man-made materials like concrete, brick and mortar.

Silica exposure occurs most often in industrial and occupational settings. The most common type of silica dust is quartz stone dust. It becomes airborne when products that contain quartz are used or made.

Who is at risk for silica exposure?

The most common cause of silicosis is occupational exposure to silica dust. Workplace exposure can happen when employees do quarry or foundry work, abrasive sandblasting, stone cutting, surface fabricating (countertops), rock drilling or tunneling. 

Industries most at risk for silica exposure include:

• Stone countertop fabrication
• Construction
• Foundries and manufacturing
• Mining
• Oil and gas extraction

What are the different types of silicosis?

Silicosis can develop in three different ways. The three types of silicosis are:

• Acute silicosis: Acute silicosis can happen after intense exposure to a large amount of silica dust. Acute silicosis can develop in as little as a few months.
• Accelerated silicosis: Accelerated silicosis can happen after a heavier exposure to silica dust. It develops over two to five years, which is a longer time than acute silicosis.
• Chronic silicosis: Chronic silicosis usually happens after 10 or more years of silica dust exposure. Chronic silicosis can take the form of simple silicosis. It can also appear as progressive massive fibrosis, which is the development of large masses in the lungs.

Symptoms of silicosis often affect the lungs and appear as respiratory problems. Silicosis can also cause complications that affect other bodily systems.

Lung inflammation and lung scarring caused by silica dust exposure can cause severe and debilitating silicosis symptoms. Silica poisoning symptoms and signs include:

• Chest pain: Chest pain can be sharp or dull. It may feel like something is crushing or squeezing your chest. You may also feel tightness or achiness.
• Cough that brings up sputum: Silicosis may induce coughing that brings up sputum. Sputum is mucus produced by the body to protect the airways. Also called phlegm, this mucus often indicates a health problem.
• Fatigue: Fatigue is extreme tiredness. Severe fatigue can make it difficult to get through the day.
• Persistent cough: A chronic or persistent cough lasts eight weeks or longer in adults. A severe, persistent cough can cause vomiting, lightheadedness or even a broken rib.
• Shortness of breath: Also called dyspnea, shortness of breath is a common symptom of heart and lung conditions. It may feel like your chest is tight, and you are gasping for air.
• Weight loss: Unexplained weight loss can indicate an underlying illness. It is usually defined as an unintended loss of 10 pounds or 5% of your body weight within six to 12 months. 

Silicosis complications

People who have silicosis are at risk for other serious health complications, including:

• Autoimmune diseases: Several autoimmune diseases have been linked to the inhalation of respirable crystalline silica, including scleroderma, rheumatoid arthritis and lupus.
• Chronic bronchitis: Silica dust can cause chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), a lung condition that includes chronic bronchitis and emphysema.
• Chronic kidney disease: Silica dust can pass through the lungs into the kidneys, causing chronic kidney disease. This condition can progress and lead to kidney failure.
• Lung cancer: Silica dust can cause lung cells to grow abnormally, resulting in lung cancer. These cancerous cells can spread (metastasize), causing cancer in other parts of the body.
• Lung transplants: Some exposures to silica can be so severe that they require a complete lung transplant.
• Tuberculosis: People with silicosis are three times as likely to develop tuberculosis (TB). TB is an infectious disease that affects the lungs.

If you have symptoms of silica dust exposure or signs of a related health condition, you should consult a doctor immediately. A healthcare provider can diagnose you and help you seek treatment.

If you are diagnosed with silicosis or a related medical problem, you may be eligible to take legal action with a silicosis lawsuit. An attorney can tell you more and provide legal aid. 

What causes silicosis?

Silicosis is caused by inhaling silica dust particles. Crystalline silica is found in stone, sand and soil and is in many construction materials. It is also used to make glass, pottery, ceramics, bricks, concrete and artificial stone. Occupational exposure to silica dust is a primary cause of silicosis. Around 2.3 million U.S. workers are exposed to silica while on the job. 

Occupational exposure to silica dust has led to people filing silicosis lawsuits. If you or someone you love was diagnosed with silicosis after working with products containing silica, you may have a legal claim. 

How is silicosis diagnosed?

There is no single lab test to prove you have silicosis. To diagnose the condition, your healthcare provider will take your patient history and perform a physical exam.

They may order the following procedures:

• Bronchoalveolar lavage: This test “washes” the lungs and examines the extracted fluid.
• Imaging tests: Doctors can look for evidence of lung inflammation and scarring. They will use chest X-rays and high-resolution computed tomography (CT) scans in this procedure.
• Lung biopsy: Rarely, doctors will biopsy a small bit of lung tissue for testing.
• Pulmonary function tests: These tests measure lung function. 

What are the treatment options for silicosis?

Silicosis has no cure. Treatments focus on managing symptoms. Treatment options vary and can include:

• Changing jobs
• Using a bronchodilator to increase airflow to the lungs
• Using personal protective equipment at work
• Using supplemental oxygen

In some cases, doctors may recommend lung transplant surgery.

Why are people filing lawsuits related to silicosis? 

People are filing lawsuits related to silicosis caused by workplace exposure to silica dust. Many workers were unaware of silica's presence in their work environment or the dangers of silica exposure. In addition, some employers did not take steps to ensure worker safety or reduce the risk of occupational exposure.

Silicosis lawsuits seek compensation for injured workers. Compensation includes awards for pain and suffering, medical expenses and lost income. 

Motley Rice is a leader in toxic exposure litigation. Our experience with silicosis lawsuits includes a historic class action settlement for South African mine workers seeking justice for occupational exposure to silica dust. 

If you or someone you love suffers from silicosis or another silica-related medical condition, we can fight to hold responsible parties accountable. Contact silica exposure attorneys Anne McGinness Kearse or David Hoyle by email or call 1.800.768.4026 to discuss your legal rights and options. 

Read more about our toxic exposure litigation experience.