Tue Mar 25 07:05:34 UTC 2025: **New AI-Powered Breath Test Shows Promise for Early Silicosis Detection**

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA—March 25, 2025—A new artificial intelligence (AI)-powered breath test offers a potential breakthrough in the early detection of silicosis, an incurable but preventable lung disease. Researchers from UNSW Sydney, reporting in the *Journal of Breath Research*, demonstrated the test’s ability to distinguish silicosis patients from healthy individuals with over 90% accuracy.

Silicosis, caused by inhaling silica dust common in industries like tunnelling and construction, is often diagnosed only after significant lung damage has occurred. Current diagnostic methods, including lung function tests and X-rays, are limited and often costly. The recent diagnosis of 13 Sydney tunnelling workers with silicosis highlights the urgent need for improved early detection.

The new breath test analyzes volatile organic compounds in breath samples, identifying subtle biochemical changes indicative of the disease. The AI model, trained on samples from 31 silicosis patients and 60 healthy controls, achieved its high accuracy within a five-minute testing window requiring minimal patient preparation. The test also showed resilience to factors like smoking and diet.

While further research, including larger-scale trials and refinement of the technology, is needed before widespread implementation, the researchers suggest this non-invasive breath test could revolutionize silicosis screening, enabling earlier intervention and potentially reducing long-term health consequences and healthcare costs. The researchers emphasize the need for continued medical evaluations but highlight the breath test’s potential for continuous monitoring. The current prototype, while compact, requires specialized equipment and lab analysis but holds promise for future workplace-based screening programs.

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