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Silicosis and dust-related diseases

A note from our CEO
Section I: Taking action to eliminate silicosis and dust-related diseases
Ideal management approaches
Current challenges and uncertainties
National action plans and strategies for silicosis/dust diseases
Potential issues arising from action
Section II: Country summaries, case studies and resources
Silica country summaries – Australia
Silica country summaries – International
Pneumoconiosis case studies
Research on silicosis and dust-related diseases
Section III: What silica and other occupational dusts are and the risks they pose
Mineralogical features of silica
Other dust/fume-related exposures
Exposure pathways
Historical progression of silica and other dust-related diseases
Section IV: Health impacts of exposure to asbestos
What are dust/fume-related diseases?
How are dust-related diseases diagnosed?
Clinical features of silicosis and other dust-related diseases
Patient support, care and information
Reporting, coding and registration of occupational dust-related diseases

United Kingdom: Epidemiology of silicosis in the UK: an update from the SWORD scheme 2018–2023

Abstract

Introduction

Silicosis is a preventable pneumoconiosis, and cases continue to be reported in the UK. Artificial stone silicosis is an emerging disease in high-income countries but until recently no UK cases had been identified. We analysed cases of silicosis reported to the UK surveillance of work-related occupational respiratory disease (SWORD) scheme from 2018–2023.

Methodology

A previously published study of silicosis cases reported to SWORD was updated.1 To account for temporal reporting changes, silicosis cases were defined as either: 1) ‘pneumoconiosis’, causative agent ‘respirable crystalline silica (RCS)’ or ‘stone, quarry (etc) dust’; 2) ‘silicosis’; or 3) ‘other pneumoconiosis’ or ‘other’ where silicosis was included in the diagnosis. Mean age at reporting was calculated yearly and compared using ANOVA. Cases were split into occupational and industry groups using standard occupational classification (SOC) and standard industrial classification (SIC) codes respectively.

Results

Eighty-two cases of silicosis were reported across the period (figure 1). Most cases (n=77, 94%) were men. Mean age was 59 (SD 14) years: youngest age at reporting was 27 and the oldest was 99. Mean age by year ranged from 56 to 64, with no significant difference across the period.

Thirty-five cases were reported in SOC code 5 ‘skilled trades and occupations’, 37 in code 8 ‘process plant and machine operatives’, six in group 9 ‘elementary occupations’, with the remainder in groups 3 and 2.

Most cases were reported in stonemasons (n=19, 23%), ceramic/brick/pottery workers (n=18, 22%), then construction, tunnelling, and other occupations (all n=11, 13%). Other occupations included dental technicians, chemical processing, and an application engineer. Four cases were reported in benchtop fabricators using artificial stone.

Conclusion

Silicosis remains a problem in the UK, with approximately 14 cases per year reported between 2018–23. Cases persist in younger age groups suggesting exposures for some remain unacceptably high. Though cases of silicosis continue to occur in traditionally high-risk jobs artificial stone silicosis is an emerging risk in the UK. Individuals, employers, policymakers and healthcare professionals should remain alert to the risk of silicosis.

Reference

S21 Epidemiology of silicosis in the UK: an update from the SWORD scheme 2018–2023

Wiggans R, Byrne L, Fishwick D, Van-Tongeren, M and Barber, CM.

S21 Epidemiology of silicosis in the UK: an update from the SWORD scheme 2018–2023 Thorax 2024;79:A22.

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