What is silicosis?

Silicosis is an incurable lung disease caused by inhaling dust that contains free crystalline silica. Silicosis is the result of the body’s response to the presence of the silica dust in the lung. Silica dust particles are small in size and can reach deep into the lungs (to the alveoli). The dust particles which land on these surfaces are removed by white blood cells known as macrophages. However, particles of free crystalline silica cause the macrophages to break open, which form scar-like patches on the surface of the alveolus. When a large number of these “scars” form, the […]