The SHIELD Whole Lung Lavage Study

BACKGROUND: Silicosis is a fatal lung disease caused by inhaling silica particles. Australia is currently facing an epidemic with hundreds of young workers having contracted silicosis from machining engineered stone. AIMS: To determine the effectiveness and safety of Whole Lung Lavage (WLL) in workers with silicosis due to significant engineered stone exposure. DESIGN: Participants (30) with silicosis or silica-induced bronchitis who are scheduled to undergo WLL as part of their normal care will be enrolled. They will undergo the following interventions pre and 3 months post WLL, some of which would have been carried out as part of routine standard care: 1. Complex pulmonary function tests (PFTs) - standard care 2. HRCT scan (if not within 6 months of WLL) - standard care 3. Blood tests 4. Cardiopulmonary exercise testing 5. Forced oscillatory technique 6. XV Lung Ventilation Analysis 7. Questionnaires (K-BILD and LCQ)