Short latent period of chronic silicosis: a case series

<bold>Background:</bold> Silicosis is a progressive, irreversible and incurable fibrotic pulmonary disease caused by inhalation and deposition of respirable crystalline silica. Chronic silicosis typically develops following 10-30 years of exposure. In a follow up with silica-exposed workers, we noted four cases diagnosed with chronic silicosis presenting with a shorter latent period than reported so far. In this report, we would like discuss these cases, including their comprehensive environmental and medical data and its implications. <bold>Methods:</bold> We analyzed the medical and occupational data of four silica-exposed workers referred to our occupational clinic and followed up them till 2022. <bold>Results:</bold> The duration of occupational exposure (4-8 years) was significantly shorter than expected. All workers were exposed to silica, 3/4 of them heavily exposed (0.14-6.64 mg/m3/y) to artificial stone, lacking adequate ventilation or PPE, certainly resulting in high-level RCS exposure. <bold>Conclusions:</bold> This report raises the question of the preferable time for monitoring chronic silicosis and emphasizes the importance of primary prevention techniques such as PPE use, environmental ventilation and monitoring, in combination with secondary prevention like health surveillance program.