What causes Silicosis?

Silicosis is a serious lung disease caused by breathing in fine dust that contains crystalline silica. It develops when those tiny, sharp particles become trapped deep in the lungs, causing inflammation and permanent scarring.

Despite being entirely preventable, silicosis is on the rise in Australia — especially among workers in construction, stonemasonry and mining. This page explains what causes silicosis, who’s most at risk, and where to go if you’re concerned about your own exposure.

Understanding Crystalline Silica

Crystalline silica is a naturally occurring mineral found in materials like stone, sand, concrete, bricks and engineered stone. When these materials are cut, drilled or ground, they release tiny dust particles into the air.

It’s the fine, airborne form – known as respirable crystalline silica – that poses the most danger. These particles are so small that they can be inhaled deep into the lungs without being seen, felt or noticed.

Silica is found in many Australian workplaces, especially those involving:

• Cutting or installing engineered stone benchtops
• Construction and demolition
• Sandblasting and quarrying
• Tunnel boring and mining

How Silica dust causes lung damage

Once inhaled, silica dust lodges in the lungs and triggers an immune response. The body tries to remove the particles but can’t break them down. Over time, the body’s reaction leads to inflammation and the formation of scar tissue — a process known as fibrosis.

This scarring reduces lung flexibility and makes it harder to breathe. Even when exposure stops, the damage can continue progressing as the fibrosis forms. In some cases, it may lead to other serious conditions, including lung infections, autoimmune diseases and cancer.

Workplaces and activities linked to Silicosis

Silicosis is most common in people who have worked in jobs that disturb materials containing high concentrations of silica. In recent years, a sharp rise in cases has been linked to engineered stone — a manufactured material used in kitchen and bathroom benchtops that contains up to 90% crystalline silica.

Due to the surge in cases, particularly among young stonemasons, Australia has now banned the use of engineered stone, with the ban taking effect from 1 July 2024. While this is a critical step forward, many Australians were exposed before the ban — and exposure risks remain in other materials.

Jobs at higher risk include:

• Stonemasons — especially those who worked with engineered stone
• Construction workers — involved in cutting, drilling or demolishing silica-containing materials
• Miners, tunnel workers and quarry staff – especially those excavating sandstone rock that contains high concentrations of silica
• Sandblasters and ceramic workers
• If you’ve worked in any of these environments, especially without proper respiratory protection, it’s important to be informed and proactive.

To prevent further harm, high-risk industries now fall under stricter national regulation, including mandatory dust controls, improved ventilation and health monitoring and screening programs for workers at risk. Early detection is key — and ongoing support is essential for those already affected.

For support and guidance, visit the Silicosis Support Hub, a dedicated service for Australians living with or concerned about silicosis.

Types of Silicosis

Silicosis can take several forms, depending on the amount and duration of silica exposure and the speed with which the condition develops.

• Chronic silicosis develops slowly after 10–20 years of exposure at moderate or lower levels. Often, symptoms like breathlessness and cough don’t appear until the disease has progressed to an advanced stage.
• Accelerated silicosis appears within 5–10 years after high-level exposure — a growing concern in Australia’s benchtop industry.
• Acute silicosis is rare but severe and can develop within weeks or months after intense exposure to extremely high levels of dust.
• Complicated silicosis: Also known as Progressive Massive Fibrosis, this is where severe scarring causes large fibrotic masses in the lungs, leading to significant breathing difficulties.

Each form carries different risks, but all are serious and potentially fatal.

Is one exposure enough to cause Silicosis?

A single, short exposure to silica dust is unlikely to cause silicosis on its own. However, repeated or prolonged exposure — especially without effective dust controls or personal protective equipment — significantly increases the risk.

That’s why regular exposure in the workplace is such a concern. Over time, even seemingly small amounts of dust can build up and damage the lungs.

What makes Silicosis so dangerous?

Silicosis isn’t just a breathing problem. It’s a progressive disease that can continue to worsen even after exposure has stopped. In advanced stages, silicosis is linked with:

• Lung cancer and silica exposure: Breathing in silica dust over time increases your risk of lung cancer, especially if you smoke. Symptoms often develop slowly, so early screening is critical.
• Emphysema and silica exposure: Silica exposure can increase your risk of developing emphysema, a chronic lung disease that blocks airflow and causes wheezing, coughing, and breathlessness.
• Tuberculosis (TB) and silica exposure: If your lungs are weakened by silica exposure, you’re more vulnerable to infections like tuberculosis (TB). TB can lie dormant for years but may reactivate if your lungs are compromised.
• Autoimmune diseases and silica exposure: Exposure to silica dust has been linked to autoimmune diseases, including rheumatoid arthritis (joint pain and swelling) and scleroderma (tight, hardened skin).

Protecting yourself and others

Silicosis is entirely preventable — but only if employers and workers take the right precautions.

If you’re still working in a job that may expose you to silica dust, you can reduce your risk by:

• Ensuring proper ventilation and dust extraction
• Using dust suppression techniques like wet cutting
• Getting regular health checks and lung screening

If you are no longer working in the industry, you can contact the state-based workers compensation authority in the location in which you were exposed to silica dust for information on how to access health monitoring, or visit your GP to request this.

For advice on managing a diagnosis or navigating health, support and workers compensation systems, visit the Silicosis Support Hub, or speak to our Support Nurse for confidential guidance.

Learn more and get support

Whether you’re a worker, a family member, or simply looking for answers — you’re not alone. ADDRI is here to support Australians affected by dust diseases with up-to-date information, research, and connection to care.

• Continue to read more about silicosis on this site
• Visit our Silicosis Support Hub
• Contact our Support Nurse
• Learn about ADDRI’s research into prevention and diagnosis
• Listen to the stories from people with silicosis and experts on the Dust Diseases Podcast
• Sign up for updates on health information and advocacy

Silicosis is preventable. With the right knowledge, action and support, we can protect more people — and build a safer future.

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