Infrequent exposure to low levels of concrete dust likely poses little risk, and most workers exposed to low levels will not be noticeably affected. But the disease can result even sooner. High dust levels, such as those caused by sandblasting or even dry grinding and cutting in poorly ventilated areas, can cause lung damage after less than a few years of such intense exposure. The disease from excessive exposure is ugly. Those afflicted with silicosis first feel a dry cough that can get progressively worse.
Shortness of breath follows, at first only with exercise.
Breathlessness may occur even when performing routine movements. Advanced stages of the disease result in death from a person's inability to breathe or just plain failure of the heart due to that organ's attempt to compensate for the damaged lungs. Silicosis is an old disease that is still being diagnosed. Thousands have already died from exposure to silica in foundries, quarries, mines and from construction activities. More recently, cancer has been associated with silica exposure.