Silica dust exposure
The abnormal cancer cells can also travel ("metastasize") and cause damage to other parts of the body. Lung cancer is a disease where abnormal cells grow uncontrollably into tumors, interfering with lung function. Lung CancerĮxposure to respirable crystalline silica increases the risk of developing lung cancer. In these cases, medical evaluation should be performed as soon as possible. In rare instances, individuals exposed to very high concentrations of respirable crystalline silica can develop typical silicosis symptoms as well as fever and weight loss within weeks instead of years. In addition, smoking causes lung damage and adds to the damage caused by breathing silica dust. In the later stages, the worker may experience fatigue, extreme shortness of breath, chest pain, or respiratory failure.īecause silicosis affects the immune system, exposure to silica increases the risk of lung infections, such as tuberculosis. As the disease progresses, the worker may experience shortness of breath upon exercising. Symptoms may or may not be obvious therefore, workers need to have a chest x-ray to determine if there is lung damage. Silicosis typically occurs after 15–20 years of occupational exposure to respirable crystalline silica.
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When silica dust enters the lungs, it causes the formation of scar tissue, which makes it difficult for the lungs to take in oxygen. Silicosisīreathing crystalline silica dust can cause silicosis, which in severe cases can be disabling, or even fatal.
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These occupational diseases are life-altering and debilitating disorders that annually affect thousands of workers across the United States. Exposure to respirable crystalline silica is related to the development of autoimmune disorders and cardiovascular impairment. Respirable crystalline silica also causes lung cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and kidney disease. We urge you to invest in a dust collection system to protect your workers from the imminent threat of dust.Protecting Workers from Silica Hazards in the Workplace VideoĪn introduction on the hazards of exposure to respirable crystalline silica.īreathing in very small ("respirable") crystalline silica particles, causes multiple diseases, including silicosis, an incurable lung disease that leads to disability and death. Removing silica from the lungs is not possible, because once crystalline silica dust is airborne and inhaled it has a lethal effect. Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) – begins as flu-like symptoms, but then results in tightness in your chest and needing to catch your breath.Kidney disease – where fluid builds up in your body and, without treatment, your kidneys can fail to result in death.These symptoms only show themselves when the cancer is advanced. Lung cancer – which shows symptoms, such as chest pain, wheezing, and weight loss.Silicosis – a lung disease that results in disability and death.The most common illnesses a person exposed to crystalline silica dust can experience are: OSHA’s whole initiative against crystalline silica dust is to protect the 2.3 million people now exposed to silica at work and to protect those who will be going into an industry that is exposed to silica while on the job. There should be enclosures within facilities to isolate the silica dust area and the workers who are not in that area.Engineering control means should be used to extract, ventilate, and remove the immanent silica dust near production.Wet saws, drills, and other means of breaking material should be used to subdue the hazards.These will aid with engineering control methods and provide more methods for future silica dust exposure:
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There are three ways OSHA suggests removing silica dust particulates. Control the Dust Your Employees are Exposed to