Understanding the Global Effort Around Silicosis and Respiratory Disease Risk

Silicosis remains one of the most prevalent occupational lung diseases worldwide. Analysis of Global Burden of Disease (GBD) data highlights concerning trends:

From 1990 to 2019, incident cases of silicosis increased by 64.6%, while disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) rose by 20.8% globally.

Despite this, age-standardised rates (ASRs) have shown an overall downward trend, with a marked decline between 2005 and 2019, however this may be a deceptive trend as global figures remain notoriously difficult to quantify accurately due to vary factors such as misdiagnosis being the most common.

These figures suggest that while prevention and control measures are having an impact, significant risks remain, and continued focus on prevention is critical.

Source: BMC Public Health

Developments by Region

Australia

In 2022–23, there were 48,000 compensation claims for diseases and conditions (34.5% of total claims), including 8,300 claims for infectious and parasitic diseases.

Around 500,000 Australians are exposed to fine silica dust, with an estimated 103,000 workers at risk of developing silicosis and other silica-induced diseases.

Australia became the first country to ban engineered stone in 2024, a decision that has positively influenced international discussions.

Source: Safe Work Australia, Trolex

United Kingdom

Approximately 600,000 workers are exposed to silica each year.

Clinicians have called for four key improvements, including consideration of a ban on artificial stone, similar to Australia’s 2024 action.

Silicosis remains entirely preventable, yet it is not compulsorily tracked as a carcinogen, limiting visibility into the true scale of the issue with also little recognition of the other known and suspected conditions that can occur from respirable crystalline silica.

Source: British Safety Council

United States

Around 2.3 million workers are estimated to be exposed to respirable crystalline silica (RCS), including 1.85 million construction workers and 320,000 workers in general industry and maritime.

The only existing surveillance system covers just two states (Michigan and New Jersey), with findings linking manufacturing and construction to the highest number of cases.

Recent regulatory action has increased inspections of high-risk industries, with the aim of improving compliance with updated silica standards.

Source: PMC

Conclusion

Silicosis is one of the oldest known occupational lung diseases, yet more than 20,000 new cases are still reported globally each year. Despite progress in awareness and regulation, the data makes one thing clear: silica exposure remains one of the most pressing and preventable occupational health risks worldwide.

Global action is gathering pace, from Australia’s landmark ban on engineered stone to renewed calls in the UK and tighter regulation in the US. But these efforts must be matched with consistent surveillance, enforced standards and proactive workplace health strategies.

Silicosis is preventable. The challenge now is to move from recognition to action ensuring that no worker, in any country, is left unprotected against this entirely avoidable disease.

Source: PMC

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