Silicosis: a disease with an active present.

Silicosis, is an interstitial lung disease caused by inhaling crystalline silica dust. Despite it being one of the oldest occupational diseases, it continues being a cause of morbidity and mortality all over the world. The World Health Organisation and the International Labour Organisation (WHO/ILO) are aware of the current problem and have designed the International Programme on the Global Elimination of Silicosis, which identifies occupational groups at risk. We present 3 cases of silicosis in young construction workers, who are exposed to high concentrations of silica due to handling artificial silica conglomerates. The main objective of this study is to identify new risk sources, to highlight the dangers involved when the substance is used without any preventative measures, and to outline the importance of the occupational history to avoid under-diagnosis of this disease.