Comparison of lung diseases

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  Both silicosis and asbestosis are caused by the inhalation and accumulation of dust containing silica or asbestos. The first symptoms may not appear for between ten and 40 years.
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  In both cases, there is an enormous pool of potential plaintiffs and this litigation is extremely lucrative for US attorneys.
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  Although millions of people may be or have been exposed to crystalline silica, the chances of silicosis developing and killing someone are lower than in the case of asbestos.
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  While the number of silicosis claims is rising strongly, the number of deaths from silicosis is declining steadily. Asbestos deaths are still increasing.
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  Silicosis has been included in the list of occupational diseases since 1929. Unlike the case with asbestos, OSHA has — in conjunction with the handling of crystalline silica — demanded increased workplace safeguards and warnings on packaging since the early 1970s. The steady decrease in annual deaths attributable to silicosis shows that these measures have been implemented effective.