Why Is It So Difficult to Diagnose Silicosis in the U.S.?

For every reported case of silicosis in an artificial stone worker, there are likely several cases that go unreported.  This happens for several reasons.  First, when a diagnosis is made, doctors are not required to report silicosis to health authorities. Due to HIPPA regulations, they typically do not.  Second, many treating doctors misdiagnose silicosis as pneumonia, asthma, COPD, or the flu.  Third, a chest x-ray is often not sensitive enough and must be reviewed by one of the few NIOSH certified B-readers as opposed to a standard radiologist.  An HRCT scan and pulmonary function test is required and is typically not performed.  All of this assumes the worker seeks medical care in the first place. Many affected workers in the U.S. are undocumented and often avoid going to the doctor out of fear.  For many workers, artificial stone silicosis is a silent killer—claiming lives quietly, often leaving families unaware of the true cause of death.

Contact us today if you have been diagnosed with silicosis.