UK Silicosis Registry
Research type
Research Study
Full title
The UK Silicosis Registry
IRAS ID
359280
Contact name
Johanna Feary
Contact email
Duration of Study in the UK
5 years, 0 months, 0 days
Research summary
Silicosis is a serious and irreversible lung disease caused by breathing in fine particles of silica dust. There is no good treatment. This dust is commonly found in jobs like mining, quarrying, and construction. Once inhaled, the dust can cause lung scarring and breathlessness. There is currently no cure.
In recent years, a new and alarming cause of silicosis has emerged: working with artificial stone, a popular material used for kitchen worktops. Compared with natural stones such as granite and marble, artificial stone contains much higher levels of silica which can be higher than 90%. Cutting and polishing it, especially without water to suppress the dust, creates dangerously high levels of airborne silica dust. This puts workers at serious risk.
The first UK cases of this type of silicosis associated with artificial stone were identified in 2023. These were mainly young men in their 30s, with some having worked with artificial stone for less than 10 years. It is associated with a particulary severe and progressive form of silicosis.
This project aims to establish the first UK Registry of patients with silicosis. The registry will collect vital information on all UK patients with silicosis. This will include information about their ages, where they worked, what jobs they did, and how severe their disease is. This will help doctors understand how best to monitor and treat these patients and ultimately prevent more people from getting sick.
The registry will improve knowledge about patients living with silicosis in the UK and could lead to better protective measures at work and support medical research to find effective treatments.
REC name
North East - York Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
26/NE/0013
Date of REC Opinion
23 Feb 2026
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion