What is Silicosis?

Silicosis is a disease of the lungs caused by silica, a natural substance found in rock and clay. The highest concentration of silica is found in ‘engineered stone’, which is sometimes marketed as ‘quartz’. Engineered stone is made by binding together crushed stone into a hard wearing substance often  used for worktops. It is easy to keep clean and less expensive than worktops made from naturally occurring rocks such as granite.

Silicosis is caused by breathing in the silica dust, for instance by cutting worktops or tiles.The silica dust causes scarring and hardening of the lungs,known as fibrosis.

Who is at risk?

Traditionally, the people most at risk were

• miners cutting through sandstone and granite in confined spaces underground
• construction workers involved in sand blasting, drilling into rock, tunneling, jack hammering or masonry work
• Stone masons sawing, cutting, grinding and sandblasting stone
• Glass workers
• Foundry workers
• Pottery and clay workers
• People working with abrasives
• Railway workers laying tracks

A growing number of people are exposed to high concentrations of silica dust through cutting and sawing engineered stone, to cut kitchen worktops to length or to create the holes needed for inset kitchen sinks etc.. This is made worse when the work is done in poorly ventilated workshops and without proper personal protection.

What benefits can people with silicosis claim?

Like people with asbestosis, anyone who has silicosis may be entitled to benefits from the Department of Work and Pensions. See our Help and Advice page.