Silicosis Mortality, Prevention, and Control—United States, 1968-2002

Silicosis is preventable occupational lung disease caused by inhaling dust containing crystalline silica; no effective treatment of it is available. To describe patterns of silicosis mortality in the US, CDC analyzed data from the National Occupational Respiratory Mortality Systems for 1968-2002. Here, Bang et al summarize the results of the analysis, which indicate a decline in silicosis mortality during 1968-2002 and suggest that progress has been made in reducing the incidence of silicosis in the US. A CDC editorial note is included.