Silicosis occurs in response to the inhalation of free silica. Because silicosis is an
ancient affliction, perhaps the oldest occupational disease, and most of the mineral dust
include free silica of silicate that causes silicosis, silicosis is the most important and
best known of the various kinds of pneumoconioses.
In Korea, the prevalence of pneumoconiosis occured in metal and coal mines has been
gradually increased since 1854 that silicosis was firstly reported. And this group of
diseases occupied about 60% of occupational diseases nowadays.
Complications of silicosis and coal workers' penumoconiosis include pulmonary
tuberculosis, emphysema, pneumothorax, car pulmonale, tuberculous pleurisy etc.
However a case of pneumoconiosis with several complications simultaneously is very
rare.
We reported a case of silicosis with various complications a glass maker, with review
of literature.
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