Silicosis
Page originally published 3/4/2026.
Silicosis is a lung disease caused by breathing in small bits of silica, a mineral found in sand, quartz, and other types of rock. Silicosis can lead to disability and death and can cause lung cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), kidney disease, and autoimmune disease. Silicosis mainly affects workers around silica dust in jobs such as construction and mining. Countertops made from engineered or artificial stone, commonly called “quartz countertops” have become increasingly popular since 2010. Because of the high content (>90%) of crystalline silica in the material, an increasing number of workers who cut and finish quartz countertops have been identified with severe silicosis, often at a young age.
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Silica is found in:
- Sand
- Concrete
- Mortar
- Granite and other minerals
- Artificial stone
Silica can be found in some types of soil. The most common form of silica is quartz.
Exposure can occur during the following activities:
- Glass, pottery, ceramics, bricks, concrete, and artificial stone manufacturing
- Abrasive blasting
- Foundry work
- Hydraulic fracturing
- Stonecutting
- Rock drilling
- Quarry work
- Tunneling
Many industries have jobs where workers are at risk of exposure, such as:
- Construction
- Mining
- Oil and gas extraction
- Stone countertop fabrication
- Foundries and other manufacturing settings
- Dentistry
Employers should take steps to protect workers from silicosis. This includes:
- Ensuring all engineering controls are working correctly before using.
- Using water and fans on dusty areas.
- Using ventilation where work is dusty.
- Closing areas to keep work separate.
- Changing water and air filters, as needed.
- Avoiding dry sweeping or using compressed air during cleaning.
- Making sure workers have, and know how to use, proper respiratory protection.
- Training workers about symptoms, prevention, and reporting.
See silica safety methods for:
Over time, silica can build up and cause damage to the lungs. This includes:
- Long-lasting cough
- Shortness of breath
- Chest pain
- Muscle weakness
- Fatigue
Symptoms may not be noticed until many years after exposure and may continue to get worse even if you’re no longer in contact with silica dust.
Workers exposed to silica and those who have silicosis are also at increased risk of tuberculosis (TB).
Silicosis is found by a doctor asking about your history of being in contact with silica and medical imaging, like chest X-rays or tissue samples, that show signs of the disease.
There is no cure for silicosis and lung damage can’t be reversed. Doctors can treat symptoms with oxygen therapy and inhalers. In severe cases, a lung transplant may be recommended.
- Silicosis is a reportable
disease under Title 17 as of June 2025. Providers should
report identified or suspected local cases to the County of San
Diego Epidemiology Unit.
- Fax a Confidential Morbidity Report to 858-715-6458 or by call 619-692-8499 during business hours.
- Silicosis Cases in Countertop Workers Continue to Rise, as Silicosis Becomes a Reportable Disease in California (California Department of Public Health – CDPH)
- California Health
Alert Network (CAHAN) San Diego
- Health Advisory: Update #1 Silicosis Becomes a Reportable Disease in California (November 18, 2025)
- Health Advisory: Silicosis In Countertop Workers (July 27, 2023)
- Silicosis for Health Care Providers (CDPH)
- Engineered Stone Silicosis Surveillance Dashboard (CDPH)
-
Engineered Stone and Silicosis | NIOSH Science Bulletin | CDC
- Mining and Silicosis (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention – CDC)
- NIOSH Mining Dust Control Handbook
- Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Construction Guide
- Silica and Worker Health (CDC)
- Silica Safety for Countertop Fabrication Employers (CDPH)
- Silica Safety for Countertop Workers (CDPH)
Call the Epidemiology Unit at (619) 692-8499, or send an e-mail, for more information.
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