Silicosis
Artificial stone silicosis: A UK case series
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.
BTS Winter Meeting 2025
Wed, 26 Nov 2025
The Lungs at Work team attended, presented and chaired at the most recent British Thoracic Society (BTS) Winter Meeting between 26-28 November 2025 in Westminster, London.
Our team presented the following abstracts:
- S112 Description of 32 cases of artificial stone silicosis from a single UK centre (presented by Dr Jo Feary)
- S113 Silicosis prevalence and association with cumulative silica exposure among current and ex- underground small-scale miners in Northern Tanzania (presented by Dr Patrick Howlett)
- S114 Longitudinal change in respiratory function in firefighters; results from the Grenfell Firefighter Study (presented by BSc medical student)
- M37 The burden and determinants of tuberculosis among small-scale miners and community members in Northern Tanzania (presented by Dr Patrick Howlett)
- P73 Changing trends in occupational asthma cases identified at a single specialist centre over 30 years (presented by nurse Tamanna Kabir)
Dr Feary was co-chair for a session on "Occupational hazards of exposure to particulates", and Dr Howlett a co-chair for a session titled "Breathing room: Confronting lung diseases from modern workplaces".
See the full event programme with full abstracts on the BTS website.
Concentrations of respirable crystalline silica and radon among tanzanite mining communities in Mererani, Tanzania
Background
Globally, the number of small-scale miners (SSM) is estimated to be more than 25 million, but it supports the livelihoods of around 100 million individuals. In Tanzania, the number of SSM has increased from an estimated 150,000 in 1987 to ~1.5 million in 2017. The miners are at a high risk of occupational-related health challenges. The study aimed to assess the concentrations of respirable crystalline silica (RCS) and radon among the tanzanite mining communities in Simanjiro District, Tanzania.
Confronting the growing epidemic of silicosis and tuberculosis among small-scale miners
An estimated 49·5 million small-scale miners worldwide are exposed to high concentrations of silica during their work. The substantial morbidity and mortality of silicosis and tuberculosis among workers exposed to such intensities have been documented. This Viewpoint raises concern at the failure to respond to a growing epidemic of lung disease (predominantly silicosis and tuberculosis) among small-scale miners.
ERS Congress 2025
Sat, 27 Sep 2025
Dr Patrick Howlett and Dr Johanna Feary both attended the ERS Congress 2025 in Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
Patrick also did a poster presentation on his current research on "the prevalence and determinants of silicosis among current and ex-gemstone miners in Northern Tanzania" (PA1579).
See the full congress programme on the ERS website.
Health effects of silica dust
Wed, 07 May 2025
We have worked with the Society of Occupational Medicine (SOM) to develop an information document on silicosis from artificial/engineered stone. The document aims to provide background information and practical strategies for occupational health surveillance.
Jo Feary speaks at All Party Parliamentary Party Group on artificial stone
Mon, 03 Nov 2025
Dr Johanna Feary recently spoke to MPs and peers at the All Party Parliamentary Party Group (APPG) on Occupational Safety & Health on Monday 3 November 2025, about the increasing number of patients in the UK diagnosed with silicosis caused by artificial/engineered stone.
Industry experts at the Westminster meeting including clinicians, politicians, union leaders and legal teams called for a UK-wide ban on stones with high silica content, primarily artificial/engineered stone.
The meeting was hosted by Thompsons Solicitors and the Trade Union Congress.
Read press coverage of the meeting here:
Patrick Howlett shortlisted for MRC Max Perutz Science Writing Award 2025
Fri, 28 Nov 2025
Dr Patrick Howlett was shortlisted for the MRC Max Perutz Science Writing Award 2025 for his article on why his area of research matters, titled "Silicosis and tuberculosis: half the world away".
The annual award has been running for 27 years, and is a science communication competition for current MRC PhD students.
You can read the full article on the MRC website.
Congratulations Dr Howlett!
Prevalence and determinants of evidence of silicosis and impaired lung function among small scale tanzanite miners and the peri-mining community in northern Tanzania
Limited data among miners in Tanzania suggests prevalence of silicosis, obstructive lung disease and restrictive lung disease to be around 1.6%, 1.9% and 8.8% respectively. Our study aimed to determine the prevalence and factors associated with silicosis and impaired lung function among tanzanite mining community in northern Tanzania. We conducted a cross-sectional study, involving 330 miners and 330 peri-mining community members in Mererani mines.
Professor Weihong Chen talk on silicosis
Wed, 09 Apr 2025
We were delighted to welcome Professor Weihong Chen, a global expert in silicosis to speak at our departmental seminar this week on the "Exposure-response analysis of silica dust exposure and related adverse health effects using Chinese cohort data”. She gave a fabulous talk and showcased the rich datasets that she is involved with. We hope to collaborate with her in the future on research projects.
