A worker in a stone quarry develops progressive massive fibrosis on chest X-ray. He also has accelerated progression to TB. The occupational exposure responsible is:

• A Asbestos (chrysotile)
• B Coal dust
• C Free crystalline silica — quartz ✓
• D Talc

Explanation

Silicosis from exposure to free crystalline silica (quartz) characteristically causes progressive massive fibrosis (PMF) on chest imaging. Importantly, silicosis significantly increases susceptibility to tuberculosis (silicotuberculosis) — TB risk is 3-fold higher in silicosis. IARC classifies silica as a Group 1 carcinogen. Asbestosis is associated with pleural plaques, mesothelioma, and lung cancer; coal workers' pneumoconiosis rarely causes PMF except in complicated CWP.

Reference: Park's Textbook of Preventive and Social Medicine, 27th ed.

High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP

Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.