Exposure to silica dust can cause silicosis, a lung disease with three forms depending on exposure levels and duration. Simple chronic silicosis results from over 20 years of low silica exposure and causes lung inflammation. Accelerated silicosis occurs after 5-15 years of medium exposure and causes faster symptoms. Acute silicosis results from very high short term exposure and severe lung inflammation. Symptoms include cough, shortness of breath, and weight loss. Diagnosis involves exposure history, physical exam, chest x-rays, CT scans, pulmonary function tests, and blood tests.