Silicosis

Silicosis Latest News

Nearly 600 workers in California’s engineered-stone countertop industry have been diagnosed with silicosis since 2019, due to the health risks posed by exposure to respirable crystalline silica during the cutting, grinding and polishing of artificial-stone slabs.

About Silicosis

• It is a respiratory disease which causes a hardening of the lungs.
• Causes: 
  • It is caused by silica dust or silica crystals, which are found in soil, sand, concrete, mortar, granite, and artificial stone.
  • It is common in construction, mining, oil and gas extraction, kitchen engineering, dentistry, pottery, and sculpting.
  • People working in these industries are often exposed to silica every day and are at higher risk of developing silicosis as a result.
• Symptoms: The main symptoms of silicosis are: a persistent cough, persistent shortness of breath weakness, and tiredness, etc.
• Types of Silicosis:
  • Chronic silicosis results from long-term exposure (more than 20 years) to low amounts of silica dust. 
    • The silica dust causes swelling in the lungs and chest lymph nodes. This disease may cause people to have trouble breathing. 
    • This is the most common form of silicosis.
  • Accelerated silicosis occurs after exposure to larger amounts of silica over a shorter period of time (3 to 10 years). 
    • Swelling in the lungs and symptoms occur faster than in simple silicosis.
  • Acute silicosis results from short-term exposure to very large amounts of silica.
    • The lungs become very inflamed and can fill with fluid, causing severe shortness of breath and a low blood oxygen level.
• Treatment: Silicosis is a progressive disease and has no cure.

News: ET

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