Silicosis due to artificial stone (AS) has emerged over the last decade as an increasing global issue. We report the first eight UK cases. All were men; median age was 34 years (range 27-56) and median stone dust exposure was 12. 5 years (range 4-40) but in 4 cases was 4-8 years. One is deceased; two were referred for lung transplant assessment. All cases were dry cutting and polishing AS worktops with inadequate safety measures. Clinical features of silicosis can closely mimic sarcoidosis. UK cases are likely to increase, with urgent action needed to identify cases and enforce regulations.
Thorax. 2024 Aug 17 [Epub ahead of print]
Johanna Feary, Anand Devaraj, Matthew Burton, Felix Chua, Robina K Coker, Arnab Datta, Richard J Hewitt, Maria Kokosi, Vaslis Kouranos, Carl Jonathan Reynolds, Clare L Ross, Veronica Smith, Katie Ward, Melissa Wickremasinghe, Joanna Szram
National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College, London, UK ., National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College, London, UK., East Suffolk and North Essex NHS Foundation Trust Ipswich Hospital, Ipswich, Suffolk, UK., Interstitial Lung Disease Unit, Department of Respiratory Medicine, Royal Brompton Hospital, London, UK., London North West University Healthcare NHS Trust, Harrow, London, UK., Department of Respiratory Medicine, Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, London, UK., Kingston Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, Kingston upon Thames, London, UK.