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The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) describes silicosis as a spectrum of lung diseases caused by inhalation of free crystalline silica. Silicosis is incurable and can lead to disability and death. Unfortunately, workers from a broad range of industries are exposed to crystalline silica.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) defines crystalline silica as a common mineral found in the earth's crust. Materials like sand, stone, concrete, and mortar contain it. It is also used to make products such as glass, pottery, ceramics, bricks, and artificial stone.

The agency goes on to share that respirable crystalline silica are very small particles, at least 100 times smaller than ordinary sand one might find on beaches and playgrounds. It is created when cutting, sawing, grinding, drilling, and crushing stone, rock, concrete, brick, block, and mortar. Activities such as abrasive blasting with sand; sawing brick or concrete; sanding or drilling into concrete walls; grinding mortar; manufacturing brick, concrete blocks, stone countertops, or ceramic products; and cutting or crushing stone can result in worker exposures to respirable crystalline silica dust.

Workers who inhale these very small crystalline silica particles are at increased risk of developing serious silica-related diseases warns OSHA. In addition to silicosis, they could also develop:
• Lung cancer
• Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
• Kidney disease

Even with this knowledge, some 2.3 million people in the U.S. are exposed to silica at work, according to OSHA. To protect workers exposed to respirable crystalline silica, the agency has issued two respirable crystalline silica standards: one for construction, and the other for general industry and maritime.

These are just a few of the many things to know about potential occupational exposure risks for developing silicosis. To learn more about this or other air quality, industrial hygiene, environmental, health, or safety issues, please visit the websites shown below.

Clark Seif Clark https://www.csceng.com
EMSL Analytical, Inc. https://www.emsl.com
LA Testing https://www.latesting.com
Zimmetry Environmental https://www.zimmetry.com
CTSI https://www.ctsiweb.com
Healthy Indoors Magazine https://www.healthyindoors.com