Silicosis is an occupational lung disease caused by breathing in silica dust. Inhaling this dust causes inflammation which, over time, leads to scarring of the lung tissue and stiffening of the lungs, making it difficult to breathe. Silicosis is a chronic condition that currently has no cure.
Silicosis is caused by breathing in silica dust. Silica dust is generated when silica-containing materials, such as engineered stone, concrete, mortar or natural sources like shale and granite, are cut, crushed, drilled, ground, polished, sanded, sawed or disturbed with force. These actions produce visible dust, but it’s the smaller dust particles that you can’t always see that stay in the air and when breathed in, can penetrate deep into the lungs.
Silicosis is caused by breathing in silica dust. Silica dust is generated when silica-containing materials, such as engineered stone, concrete, mortar or natural sources like shale and granite, are cut, crushed, drilled, ground, polished, sanded, sawed or disturbed with force. These actions produce visible dust, but it’s the smaller dust particles that you can’t always see that stay in the air and when breathed in, can penetrate deep into the lungs.
Silica is a naturally occurring mineral that can be found in soil, sand, granite and many commercial products such as engineered (artificial) stone, bricks, tiles, concrete and mortar. These resources provide information on how you can manage your exposure to silica dust and reduce your risk.
Silica is a naturally occurring mineral that can be found in soil, sand, granite and many commercial products such as engineered (artificial) stone, bricks, tiles, concrete and mortar. These resources provide information on how you can manage your exposure to silica dust and reduce your risk.
Silica is found in most mining and quarrying operations because it occurs naturally in the earth’s crust. It can be found in most rock, limestone, and sandstone. These resources provide information on how you can manage your exposure to silica dust and reduce your risk.
Silica dust can be found in most rock, limestone, and sandstone during tunnelling but also in concrete or cement building materials that may be used during the tunnel demolition phase. These resources provide information on how you can manage your exposure to silica dust and reduce your risk.
Are you or your loved one impacted by silicosis? Click the button below for support.
Hear from our experts Kate Cole OAM and Nikky LaBranche about silica dust across the mining, quarrying and tunnelling industries. In this webinar you will learn about the prevalence of silica dust across these industries, what control measures can be used to protect your lungs, and how workers can protect themselves.
In this webinar you will hear from Lung Foundation Australia’s very own Social Worker Lilanie Dagg, as well as Dr Boris Fedoric, a rehabilitation counsellor. This webinar will cover information on managing your mental health whilst living with silicosis, as well as how to approach returning to work.
Hear from expert occupational hygienist and engineer, Kate Cole OAM, on all things silica dust. In this webinar, learn about what silica dust is, what you can do to protect yourself, and how control measures are used to reduce silica dust in the workplace.
In this webinar, hear from Mark Reggers, an expert occupational hygienist in respirator equipment. The webinar dives into everything you need to know about respirators, how to use them, and which are the best for certain circumstances. The webinar ends with a short Q&A discussion.
Download our promotional pack which includes newsletter content, social media posts and tiles for workers and employers.
Lung Foundation Australia
Level 4, 12 Cribb Street
Yuggera Country
Milton QLD 4064
Postal Address: PO Box 1949, Milton, QLD, 4064
1800 654 301
Free Call (within Australia)
Phone: 07 3251 3600
Email: enquiries@lungfoundation.com.au
Lung Foundation Australia acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of the lands on which we work throughout Australia and their unceded sovereignty of and continuing connection to land and sea. We pay our respects to their cultures and to Elders past and present. We acknowledge the overrepresentation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in lung disease and lung cancer. We commit to working with communities to close the gap and build on the strengths of communities to lead the path to healthy lungs for all.
Article type
Lung disease
Topic
Sort by
Lung disease
Service type and category
Service delivery method
Post code
Sort by
I am...
Lung disease
Resource type
Resource language
Only certain resources will be available in alternative languages
Sort by
Lung disease
Research category
Year
Sort by
I am...
Lung disease
Type
Sort by
