There has been a rapid increase in cases of silicosis in the UK since 2023 [1]. This is largely attributable to disease from artificial stone in stonemasons working in the kitchen worktop industry. Artificial stone silicosis disproportionately affects young men and often presents as acute or accelerated disease in people with only one or two years of exposure and is associated with high mortality. This mirrors trends seen in Australia, California and elsewhere.
At present, there is no UK screening programme for silicosis and the disease is often asymptomatic in the early stages.
If you have a patient with suspected silicosis and/or known high exposure to silica dust, we can see them in our specialist NHS occupational lung disease clinic at the Royal Brompton Hospital. Please send a very brief referral via ERS.
Alternatively, please arrange a chest CT scan (chest x-ray is not sensitive and may miss early disease) and ensure that clinical information given specifically states possible silicosis (?nodules ?lymphadenopathy).
Please let us know if you would like to discuss any cases by emailing us at gstt.OCLDAdvice@nhs.net.
A list of other UK specialist NHS occupational lung disease clinics can be found here.
[1] Feary et al. Artificial stone silicosis: A UK case series. Thorax (2024)
