Silicosis for Health Care Providers
Diagnosing Silicosis
Workers with silicosis often present with non-specific respiratory symptoms, such as cough and shortness of breath; they may also be asymptomatic in early stages of disease.
Providers should ask patients about their work and consider silicosis in both asymptomatic and symptomatic countertop fabrication workers. Silicosis can be diagnosed using imaging, such as chest x-ray and chest CT, and pulmonary function tests, such as spirometry and diffusing capacity. Pulmonary and occupational medicine providers should be included in diagnosis and care.
Reporting Silicosis
Case Reporting
As of June 2025, silicosis is a reportable disease in California. Providers who diagnose or treat patients with silicosis must report cases to the local health department in the jurisdiction where the patient resides within 7 calendar days of identification. Silicosis cases should be reported by electronic transmission (including FAX), telephone, or mail.
The California Department of Public Health Occupational Health Branch is the primary agency responsible for silicosis surveillance and public health follow-up, and is available for queries and technical assistance:
- By phone: 800-970-6680
- By fax: 916-636-6153
- By email:
silicosis@cdph.ca.gov
- Please ensure that any emails containing protected health information are sent via a secure email system. If you do not have access to a secure email system, please contact us at the above email address and we will provide a secure method of transmission.
Under the
Cal/OSHA silica standard, employers are required to offer silica medical examinations to many silica-exposed workers.
Providers who conduct these exams are required to report the results of all examinations to CDPH, whether or not the worker has silicosis. Reports should include:
- Patient name
- Date of birth
- Name and location of the facility where they were seen
- Date of the relevant encounter
- A copy of the exam report provided to the worker
Exam results can be reported via one of the following methods:
- By fax: 916-636-6153
- By email: silicosis@cdph.ca.gov
- Please ensure that any emails containing protected health information are sent via a secure email system. If you do not have access to a secure email system, please contact us at the above email address and we will provide a secure method of transmission.
Continuing Medical Education on Silicosis
What Providers Need to Know
Silicosis in Countertop Fabrication Workers: What Providers Need to Know (PDF)
CDPH overview of silicosis in countertop fabrication workers, including information about diagnosis, medical surveillance, and treatment.
Resources: What Providers Need to Know
Additional Resources for Providers
NEW Silicosis Cases in Countertop Workers Continue to Rise, as Silicosis Becomes a Reportable Disease in California (released 11/17/2025)
CDPH health advisory with information for California healthcare providers and local health departments