Silicosis is classically linked to which exposure?

• A. Coal mining
• B. Sandblasting
• C. Welding
• D. Shipbuilding

Answer: (B)

Silicosis comes from inhaling respirable crystalline silica particles, and the classic exposure is sandblasting, which creates a lot of airborne silica dust you can inhale. When these tiny particles settle in the lungs, macrophages try to engulf them but silica is toxic to these cells, triggering inflammation and fibrotic processes. Over time, that leads to nodular fibrosis, often in the upper lobes, and can progress to progressive massive fibrosis. The dust also impairs macrophage function, increasing susceptibility to tuberculosis. While coal mining is linked to coal workers’ pneumoconiosis, and welding or shipyard work can involve other inhalational risks, the exam-standard association for silicosis is sandblasting.