Silicosis, lung cancer, tuberculosis, lupus, scleroderma, and rheumatoid arthritis are among the diseases caused by the inhalation of respirable crystalline silica particles. Silicosis is the most common disease caused by breathing silica, and the oldest known occupational lung disease. When crystalline silica particles are inhaled, the human body sends defense mechanisms, called macrophages, to try to destroy the silica particles. However, the silica particles end up destroying the macrophages.

After this happens, the lung tissue develops scarring, called fibrosis or Silicosis. Silicosis is usually found in the upper lobes of the lung. On an x-ray, the scarring appears round, or nodular. Silicosis is incurable and nonreversible. As the scarring increases, shortness of breath and breathing difficulty is common. In extreme cases, death may result. Symptoms of silicosis include cough, shortness of breath, wheezing, and repeated chest illnesses. Silicosis is diagnosed through pulmonary function tests, chest x-rays, and a history of occupational exposure to silica.

There are three types of silicosis: Chronic Silicosis; Acute Silicosis; and Accelerated Silicosis.

Chronic silicosis usually occurs after 10 or more years of exposure to crystalline silica at relatively low concentrations.

Acute silicosis occurs from high exposures and can cause symptoms to develop within in a few weeks or up to 5 years.

Accelerated silicosis results from exposure to high concentrations of crystalline silica and develops 5 to 10 years after the initial exposure.

Chronic silicosis, the most common form of the disease, may go undetected for years in the early stages; in fact, a chest X-ray may not reveal an abnormality until after 15 or 20 years of exposure.

Persons with silicosis are at high risk for developing tuberculosis (TB). Silica is believed to interfere with the body's immune response to the bacteria that causes TB. Annual skin testing to check for exposure to TB is recommended, and treatment with anti-TB drugs is recommended for persons with a positive skin test.

Recent studies have also linked silica exposure to lung cancer.

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