Acute silicosis is lung inflammation due to breathing in large amounts of silica dust or silicon dioxide over several months.

Silicoproteinosis; progressive massive fibrosis

The disease occurs mainly in people who work in sandblasting, mining, quarrying, grinding, and those who work in foundries. Silicosis is becoming less common due to U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) regulations that require protective equipment.

Images

Respiratory system

Next Section

Silicosis Symptoms

Review Date: 03/01/2007
Reviewed By: David A. Kaufman, M.D. Assistant Professor, Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York, NY. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org)