Silica-associated lung disease: An old-world exposure in modern industries

Barnes, H.; Goh, N. S. L.; Leong, T. L.; Hoy, R. Official Journal of the Asian Pacific Society of Respirology (2019) CC2
Silicosis is not a new disease; the impact of silica dust on respiratory function was observed by Hippocrates in 430 B.C. and in the 16th century by Agricol. In 1713, Rammazini described silicotic nodules in post-mortems of stone cutters presenting with respiratory symptoms. In the mid-late 1800s, the introduction of mechanized tools in the mining sector rapidly increased levels of silica exposure, resulting in an increase in cases and our understanding of silicosis.