Silica exposure in the workplace seriously affects more than a million working Americans and increases their risk of renal failure, tuberculosis, lung cancer, etc. Safety of silica is attempting to be enforced by regulatory bodies, but the growing concern for silica exposure among individuals is at the top of medical professionals' minds.

What Is Silica, Anyway?

More than just a benign dust, silica is actually the world's second most common mineral. Present in mineral ore, sand, and other rocks, silica comes in crystalline form and can be easily inhaled and breathed through the lungs. Over time, silica dust exposure can cause a buildup of scar tissue in the lungs, and this is the most deadly threat to exposed employees. Silica can be found at many job sites, including:

* factories that work with pottery and related materials, or ceramics;

* glass factories;

* soap and detergent plants;

* the use of jackhammers on construction sites where drilling and sandblasting occurs;

* foundries;

* mines;

* railroads and ship yards;

* stone work sites.

Silicosis - Industrial Killer

Silicosis kills more than 250 workers a year, but the disease is 100 percent preventable with the proper safety measures. The disease is especially dangerous because it takes so long to manifest - up to 20 years in some workers.

Side effects of silica exposure can include serious cough, chest pain, difficulty breathing, fever, etc., because it is a lung disease. In addition, the presence of silica in the lungs often causes an autoimmune disorder, leaving workers more vulnerable to other lung ailments such as pneumonia and tuberculosis. A thorough medical examination, including chest X-ray, lung capacity testing and other modalities, is needed for a complete silicosis diagnosis.

There are three different types of silica-related conditions such as chronic silicosis, acute silicosis (with high exposures; may develop anywhere from weeks to five years after exposure), and accelerated silicosis (developing over five to ten years). The severity of silicosis in a given worker depends on the level and repetition of the occupational exposure.

What Is Being Done?

OSHA and MSHA rules do apply to silica exposure at work sites. OSHA has set an exposure limit that specifies the maximum amount of permissible silica exposure during an eight-hour shift.

In addition, OSHA and MSHA both require employers to provide appropriate measures to prevent silica exposures. Protection and prevention can occur with handing out standardized respiratory protection gear to employees at risk for exposure as well as informing them of potential silica exposure, also record keeping of contamination or silica level changes. Employees working in a silica-related job or in dusty work environments must use precaution and prevention to avoid developing debilitating silicosis conditions.

If you are suffering from a work-related illness from silica exposure, seek the proper medical attention immediately. Consult with an experienced silica attorney to determine whether you have a case. Those exposed to silica or working in a silica-related industry should speak with an attorney to discuss the potential for compensation on medical bills.