Silica dust exposure and silicosis among mine workers

A literature review

Abstract

Although silicosis has long been recognised as a preventable occupational lung disease, recent evidence continues to show persistent risks among mine workers, indicating the need to synthesize current findings on silica dust exposure and disease incidence. This literature review aimed to examine the relationship between respirable silica dust exposure and the incidence of silicosis among mine workers. Articles were searched in PubMed, Google Scholar, and ScienceDirect for studies published between 2015 and 2025 using the keywords silica dust exposure, silicosis, and mine workers. From 100 identified articles, five relevant studies were selected through a stepwise screening process based on predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria. The selected articles were systematically reviewed by comparing study design, exposure assessment methods, worker characteristics, and findings related to silicosis risk. The reviewed evidence consistently showed that exposure to respirable silica dust was associated with an increased risk of silicosis, particularly among workers exposed to higher dust concentrations and longer employment durations. The findings also indicated that the use of personal protective equipment and the implementation of workplace environmental controls were important factors in reducing occupational exposure and disease risk. This review highlights that silicosis prevention among mine workers requires comprehensive exposure control strategies, including dust monitoring, engineering controls, consistent use of protective equipment, health surveillance, and stronger occupational safety policies in mining workplaces.