The scarring of the lung tissue cannot be reversed. Once silicosis develops, the damage is permanent. Respirable crystalline silica (RCS) is the the fraction of crystalline silica dust that is inhalable and may pose a hazard to workers. Breathing dust generated from working with these materials can scar the lungs. Respirable crystalline silica dust is one of the most aggressive, lung damaging dusts that can be encountered in the workplace. This cutting generates respirable crystalline silica, or silica dust, that can become airborne and then breathed in by workers and others at the workplace. Silicosis cannot be cured, but it can be prevented.Ĭrystalline silica is found in materials such as sand, concrete, masonry, rock, granite, engineered stone, and many building and landscaping materials. The inhalation of dust containing quartz particles (crystalline silica) is a recognized health hazard, which, among other things, can lead to the fatal. Silicosis is a disabling and sometimes fatal lung disease caused by overexposure to dust containing crystalline silica. Respirable dust (ie dust small enough to penetrate the very small breathing vessels within the lung) containing crystalline silica is known as respirable. When crystalline silica is released in the air as a fine dust, workers may inhale the dust, which puts them at risk for illness. Intense exposure to silica dust can lead to rapid onset of silico-sis. Crystalline silica of respirable size is primarily quartz dust occurring in industrial and occupational settings in the form of fine, breathable particles. It is found in substantial quantities in sand, sandstone, granite, stone and rock aggregates, clay, shale and slate. Silicosis causes slowly progressive fibrosis of the lungs, impairment of lung function, and tuberculosis. However, since this website was developed, the Occupational Health Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) established a new Permissible Exposure Level (PEL) of 50 micrograms of respirable crystalline silica per cubic meter of air (μg/m 3), averaged over an 8-hour workday, and there are now additional requirements under the new OSHA’s Respirable Crystalline Silica Standard for Construction. Crystalline silica is a naturally occurring mineral most commonly found as quartz. DISCLAIMER: The resources provided on this website contain useful technical information.
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