Silicosis

Despite modern advancements in the medical industry, many harmful upper and lower respiratory diseases do not have a cure and continue to pose a risk to the entire population.  In particular, individuals in the mining and manufacturing industry face a greater risk to diseases of the lung due to various particles suspended in indoor and outdoor workplace environments. Depending on the particle material and time-length of exposure, negative acute and chronic effects take place in the body, typically starting in the lung.

Silica is a mineral toxicant that can result in either acute, chronic and accelerated silicosis depending on length of exposure. This lung disease is often posed to workers in mining, fracking and glass manufacturing industries in which silica particles can be inhaled. The American Lung Association characterizes acute silicosis with cough, weight loss and fatigue resulting only few weeks after exposure.  Acute silicosis inflames the lungs making them likely to fill with fluid.  Chronic silicosis is an upper respiratory disease characterized by extensive scaring of the lungs, which results between 10-30 years of exposure.  In chronic silicosis, silica dust and particles swell the lungs and chest lymph nodes. Lastly, accelerated silicosis typically occurs 10 years after high-level silica exposure and results in similar symptoms that develop more rapidly.  All three types of silicosis can develop into a more serious condition known as progressive massive fibrosis and all three can increase the risk of lung cancer or chronic bronchitis.

OSHA  has recently implemented stronger controls for silica dust exposure which will save over 600 lives and prevent over 900 new cases of silicosis each year.  Some key provisions include reducing the PEL of silica exposure to 50 micrograms per cubic meter of air; averaged over an 8-hour shift, requiring use of engineering controls (such as ventilation systems), and providing reoccurring medical exams for workers exposed to silica dust.  In addition, OSHA implements a strict compliance schedule for construction, general industry and maritime, and hydraulic fracturing.

These are packets of Silica Gel that I found in a bag bought from China.  Silica gel manufacturing poses risks of silica dust inhalation to workers.

Glass products are all around us.  Silica dust inhalation is a common workplace risk in glass manufacturing, which OSHA aims to reduce through strict controls and regulations.