Dust or soil has thousands of components, metals, bacteria, fungi, molds, organic matter, feces etc. It can give you farmer's lung and other illnesses. Plastic is comparatively inert. Weird that there is not environmental movement to reduce soil from the environment.

We evolved to survive breathing in soil.

Silicon dioxide (sand) causes silicosis if inhaled. I wouldn’t be so quick to dismiss the risk.

Isn't the damage caused physically, not chemically? I think that's the main point

Why would that matter if both kill you?

Asbestos is a silicate…

And, in quantity, even the "harmless" silicates aren't.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Silicosis

I meant naturally occuring ones like sand. Even glass is kind of related. Didn't want to elaborate too much. But indeed it is.