Silicosis: No longer exclusively a chronic disease.

Silicosis typically has been classified as a chronic disease that develops after at least 10 years of exposure to silica dust, and often is associated with miners and stone workers. As industries have changed over time, other types of workers (including those in artificial stonework, jewelry polishing, and denim production) have become exposed to high levels of silica, leading to the development of acute and accelerated silicosis. Acute silicosis can develop in as little as a few months, and accelerated silicosis can develop in as little as 2 years.