Silicosis is a sentinel occupational disease.
Surveillance for silicosis is needed to identify work sites where workers continue to be exposed to hazardous levels of silica dust. Silicosis is a chronic, nonmalignant lung disease caused by the inhalation of respirable crystalline silica dust. The existing level of surveillance of silicosis has revealed neither the true burden nor the continuing risk of the disease. Prevention of silicosis will require improved surveillance in all 50 states or territories. Surveillance data from seven states that are piloting silicosis surveillance systems identified and confirmed 256 cases of silicosis that were ascertained during 1993.