| Silicosis, Mesothelioma and Asbestosis are all three | | | | exposure (more than 20 years) to low amounts |
| occupational related cancers that are preventable. | | | | of silica dust. Nodules of chronic inflammation and |
| Silicosis is a respiratory disease caused by the | | | | scarring provoked by the silica dust form in the |
| inhalation of silica dust, which leads to inflammation | | | | lungs and chest lymph nodes. This disease may |
| and scarring of the lung tissue. Similar to | | | | feature breathlessness and may resemble chronic |
| Mesothelioma and Asbestosis, Silicosis silently | | | | obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). |
| caused millions of industry related health issues | | | | If you feel that you are in an industry with a high |
| and deaths before it was discovered and could be | | | | risk of exposure to silica dust, or any other |
| properly diagnosed. | | | | hazardous material, you should take it upon |
| The main cause of Silicosis is long-term exposure | | | | yourself to use every method necessary to |
| to silica. Silica is a common, naturally occurring | | | | protect yourself from exposure. It is important to |
| crystal. It is found in most rock beds and forms | | | | discuss any health concerns that you may have |
| dust during mining, quarrying, tunneling, | | | | with your employer and have your employer |
| construction and work with many metal ores. | | | | provide you with the personal protective |
| Silica is a main component of sand, so glass | | | | equipment required by law to minimize your |
| workers, sand-blasters and construction laborers | | | | exposure to hazardous materials such as silica. It |
| also receive heavy exposure to silica. | | | | is legally your employer's responsibility to provide |
| Risk factors for Silicosis include but are not limited | | | | you with safety devices that will protect you but |
| to any work that includes exposure to silica dust. | | | | it is ultimately your responsibility to protect your |
| Mining, stone and concrete cutting, quarrying, road | | | | health and the health of your family. |
| and building construction, work with abrasives | | | | If your employer is lax or refuses to provide for |
| manufacturing, sand blasting and many other | | | | your safety, it is important that you contact your |
| occupations and hobbies involve exposure to silica. | | | | local, state or federal agency that oversees health |
| Intense exposure to silica may result in | | | | and safety law and compliance to report it right |
| symptoms of or full blown Silicosis in a year or | | | | away. In most situations you can report any |
| less, but it usually takes at least 10 or 15 years of | | | | negligence anonymously to prevent being singled |
| exposure before most symptoms of Silicosis | | | | out and demoted or fired by your employer. |
| develop. Silicosis as well as Mesothelioma and | | | | Many times your employer will be forced to |
| Asbestosis have become less common since the | | | | comply with the laws by the governing agency |
| Occupational Safety and Health Administration | | | | and your problems will be solved. As an employer |
| (OSHA) instituted laws and regulations requiring | | | | myself, I see the need to protect my employees |
| the use of protective equipment, to be provided | | | | at any cost because they are not only my most |
| by employers, that limit the amount of a worker's | | | | valued assets they are people with families and |
| hazardous material exposure. Now, in most cases, | | | | simply deserve to live and work in the safest |
| it is legally and lawfully the responsibility of your | | | | environment possible. If your employer does not |
| employer to protect you by providing personal | | | | feel this way, you should not feel one bit of |
| protection equipment (PPE). | | | | remorse if you have to report abuse to the |
| The three different types of Silicosis are: | | | | proper authorities. |
| * Acute Silicosis -- results from short-term | | | | If you feel that you have been negligently |
| exposure to very large amounts of silica. The | | | | exposed to Silica, or any other hazardous material |
| lungs become very inflamed and may fill with fluid, | | | | and are now experiencing health related issues |
| causing severe shortness of breath and low blood | | | | from it, you should contact a competent lawyer |
| oxygen levels. | | | | or law office immediately and discuss your |
| * Accelerated Silicosis -- occurs after exposure to | | | | situation with them. You may be entitled to |
| larger amounts of silica over a shorter period of | | | | compensation due to your employer's negligence. |
| time (5 - 15 years). Inflammation, scarring, and | | | | There are lawyers and attorneys that specialize in |
| symptoms progress faster in accelerated silicosis | | | | Silicosis, Mesothelioma, Asbestosis and a vast |
| than in simple silicosis. | | | | array of other occupational health related |
| * Simple chronic silicosis -- results from long-term | | | | diseases. |