Silicosis: A Devastating Occupational Disease Caused by Inhaled Dust

Silicon dioxide (SiO₂), commonly known as silica, is one of the most abundant minerals on Earth. It is a major component of rocks and sand, accounting for more than ninety percent of the material found in many geological formations. In daily life, human activities frequently bring workers into contact with silica-containing materials. Construction, demolition of old buildings, interior stone decoration, stone carving, ceramic production, quarry blasting, and sandblasting processes used in industries such as denim manufacturing can all generate silica dust.

Silica occurs in many structural forms. Based on its molecular structure, it can be broadly divided into crystalline and amorphous forms. Crystalline silica includes several mineral varieties such as α-quartz, β-quartz, α-tridymite, β-tridymite, α-cristobalite, β-cristobalite, moganite, and coesite. Among these, α-quartz is considered the most biologically toxic, whereas amorphous silica is far less harmful. Importantly, the toxicity of silica is not caused by chemical reactions occurring within the human body. Instead, the damage primarily results from physical interactions between silica particles and lung tissues.

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