SILICOSIS

Silicosis is an incurable lung disease caused by the inhalation of dust containing free crystalline silica. Silicosis is irreversible and continues to progress even after the exposure to the silica has stopped. Silica exposure may result in silicosis in less than a year, but it usually takes a decade or more before symptoms appear.

Silicosis results in conditions such as lung fibrosis and emphysema. A frequent cause of death in people who have silicosis is pulmonary tuberculosis (or silico-tuberculosis).

Silica dust is most commonly found in operations in which rocks, sand, concrete and some ores are broken or crushed. Particularly risky is working in mines, quarries, foundries and construction sites. Also, plants where they manufacture glass, ceramics, and abrasive powders are places where high amounts of silica dust can be found. Other occupations where the exposure to silica dust can be high include those that feature: sandblasting; dry sweeping; clearing of sand and concrete; and any activities where large dust clouds can be generated.

In the USA, it is estimated that more than one million workers are occupationally exposed to free crystalline silica dusts (more than 100 000 of these workers are sandblasters), of whom some 59 000 will eventually develop silicosis. It is reported that each year in the US about 300 people die from it, but the true number is not known.

Some of the symptoms of silica exposure are: chest pain, shortness of breath, fatigue, severe cough, and flu-like symptoms. Silicosis can be detected by a simple chest x-ray, but by then, it is usually too late for the victim to recover.

OSHA says that silicosis is 100% preventable, if workers are given properly working protective equipment to wear. If you or someone that you love is the victim of silicosis, you may have legal rights to pursue remedies for your injuries.