Silicosis is also known as miner’s lung. It is caused by inhaled silicon particles from a mine.
In normal breathing, air travels through the nose and windpipe into narrowing airways called the bronchi. The bronchi divide into bronchioles and finally into small clusters of thin, delicate sacs, the alveoli; medical name: alveoli. In the alveoli oxygen in the blood is exchanged for carbon dioxide.
People who work in mines or quarries, or who deal a lot with substances such as concrete or glass shavings, have an increased risk of inhaling very small silicon dust particles. Silicon, or pebble, is a natural crystal, the main component of sand.
The minuscule silicon particles find their way through the narrowest airways, up to the alveoli. In the alveoli, the silicon particles are massively attacked by macrophages, ie immune cells that destroy foreign organisms throughout the body with the help of special enzymes.
But unfortunately the macrophages not able to cope with the silicon particles. Instead of the invaders, the immune cells are destroyed, and as they die they release enzymes. Those released enzymes irritate the lungs and unleash an inflammatory process. When this happens, special cells called fibroblasts appear and ‘pack’ the silicon particles into fibrous tissue, creating scar nodules in the lungs.
Ultimately, the build-up of scar tissue hinders oxygen exchange in the lungs. The consequence is shortness of breath, which is getting worse. Other symptoms of silicosis include chest pain and a coarse, dry cough, often with blood.
