Medical concerns
When to visit your doctor?
Exposure to silica dust, especially over a prolonged period, can lead to severe and often irreversible damage to your lungs. Early detection and intervention are key to managing the potential health risks associated with silica dust exposure.
If you have been exposed to silica dust and are worried that you may have silicosis, you should contact your GP. They will be able to refer you to a respiratory specialist who can carry out the tests required.
The body's natural defence mechanisms will try to clear any dust you breathe into your lungs, either by coughing it back up or by breaking down the particles within the lungs. When you breathe in large volumes of fine dust, such as silica dust, these defence mechanisms cannot work properly. As a result, silica particles will remain in the lungs for some time, where they cause damage.
How do you get a silicosis diagnosis?
To get a silicosis diagnosis your doctor will have to submit you for testing. These tests are designed to assess the extent of lung damage and confirm whether it is consistent with silicosis. Tests can include a chest x-ray, a CT scan of your chest and a lung function test.
To prove that you have it you would need to have evidence of lung damage consistent with silicosis on an x-ray or CT scan, as well as a history of exposure to a significant level of silica dust over a period of time.
A doctor will have to submit you for testing before a diagnosis.
Tests can include:
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Chest X-ray to find abnormalities in the lungs
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Computerised tomography (CT) scan of your chest to produce more detailed images of your lungs
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Lung function testing (spirometry), which involves breathing into a machine called a spirometer to assess how well your lungs are working.
Other health risks
Silicosis is not the only condition which can be caused by breathing in silica dust. It has also been linked to the following conditions:
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Lung cancer
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Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
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Tuberculosis
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Kidney disease
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Arthritis
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Systemic sclerosis, an immune disorder which can affect the skin and internal organs
Although there is no cure for silicosis, treatment can help to aid symptoms. If you have been diagnosed, speak to a medical professional for the best advice on treatment options.