Chalicosis is a form of pneumoconiosis affecting the lungs or bronchioles, found mainly among stonecutters.
[1] The disease is caused by the inhalation of fine particles of stone.
Occupations with significant exposure to stone dust are at an increased risk of chalicosis include: Signs and symptoms of chalicosis are slow to develop and thus patients may not show signs of incapacity until years after exposure.
[3] Signs and symptoms include: There is no definitive cure for chalicosis,[5] nor is there a specific targeted therapy.
[3] Current treatment of this lung disorder primarily involves managing respiratory symptoms, associated comorbidities, and complications, with the overarching goal of enhancing the patient's quality of life.