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| Toxic Substances
:: Silica (Silicosis)
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SILICOSIS - Crystalline silica is found in slate, flint, sandstone, coal, other metallic rocks, and even sand. It is one of the most common minerals known to man, second only to quartz. It is also a very deadly mineral that causes silicosis (known also as Potter's rot, or Grinder's disease). Silicosis is a lung disease caused by the dust of grinding, milling, mining, or quarry work involving rocks containing silica. Silica dust is the most common cause of occupational lung damage.
While deaths related to silica have declined greatly due to better technology in developed countries, it is still a great risk in countries that lack high tech methods for creating and discovering the products made from rocks and minerals.
There are several U.S. states that still have a high incidence of silicosis due to a large number of industries involving mining and other work. While the use of respirators, mists, and other dust alleviating methods are now commonly used, it is still impossible to completely eradicate the dangers of silica. Additionally symptoms related to silicosis may not appear for years following extended exposure. In most cases the symptoms will appear over a long period of time and may even seem unrelated to each other at first.
There are three types of silicosis: asymptomatic silicosis, accelerated silicosis, and acute silicosis.
Asymptomatic silicosis typically shows no symptoms and often goes undiagnosed for years. It may remain untreated or develop into the next level of silicosis.
Accelerated silicosis usually begins to show symptoms 5 to 10 years after heavy exposure. The symptoms of accelerated silicosis are difficulty breathing, weight loss, and fatigue or weakness.
Acute silicosis occurs quickly in relation to the other types of the disease. It usually strikes as soon as a few months to 2 years after high exposure to silica. While the symptoms of this form of silicosis mirror that of accelerated silicosis, it is more severe and faster to disable its victims and often leads to death.
If you have a past history working in any industry involving rocks, dust, or mining endeavors and have the symptoms of lung damage, it is very important to consult your physician. You should also seek legal advice to see if your illness has recourses. Because most instances of silicosis are work-related, your employer or former employer may be responsible for your medical and financial difficulties. Your attorney can review your work and medical history to see if your situation warrants legal action. Getting the help of a well-qualified lawyer can help you and your family through the financial hardships caused by a devastating illness.
Fill out the form on this page to get a free evaluation by a law firm that has the expertise and resources to handle these complex and costly to litigate cases.
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| Silica (Silicosis) In the News |
White House Criticized about Workplace Policies of Toxins Like Asbestos - Asbestos.com
Asbestos.comWhite House Criticized about Workplace Policies of Toxins Like AsbestosAsbestos.comThe debate is centered around a workplace policy that would limit workers' exposure to silica dust, a substance commonly used...
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New Silica Rules Languish In Regulatory Black Hole - NPR
New Silica Rules Languish In Regulatory Black HoleNPRBreathing tiny particles of silica, which is basically sand, can damage the lungs and cause silicosis. Sufferers can't get enough oxygen; they become weak. There's...
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White House Delays Another Workplace Rule That Could Save Lives - In These Times
White House Delays Another Workplace Rule That Could Save LivesIn These Times... the White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has been reviewing a rule that would limit workers' exposure to silica dust, which is...
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FORUM: If it is orange, vote it out - North County Times
FORUM: If it is orange, vote it outNorth County TimesSilica dust arguments based on studies in underground mines are not comparable to open air, sand and gravel quarries. The Santa Margarita Ecological Reserve, contrary to...
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Wisconsin won't study effects of sand mining - Winona Daily News
Wisconsin won't study effects of sand miningWinona Daily NewsFresh, fine silica dust is a well-documented health risk blamed for lung diseases such as silicosis, cancer and autoimmune diseases, but most published research...
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It's Time for Protection Against Deadly Silica Dust - AFL-CIO (blog)
It's Time for Protection Against Deadly Silica DustAFL-CIO (blog)... and Health Administration (OSHA) on silica dust. Some 1.7 million workers are exposed to crystalline silica, which kills some 200 workers each year and...
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300+ Experts Urge President Obama to Intervene to Protect Workers from Toxic Dust - Union of Concerned Scientists (blog)
300+ Experts Urge President Obama to Intervene to Protect Workers from Toxic DustUnion of Concerned Scientists (blog)A worker inside a tile-making factory, circa 1936, where exposure to large amounts of silica dust was...
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Fracking for oil, natural gas spurs sand mining in Midwest - USA TODAY
USA TODAYFracking for oil, natural gas spurs sand mining in MidwestUSA TODAYThey fear fine silica dust from the mines and plants will make people sick, spoil the landscape and contaminate ground water. Fresh, fine silica dust...
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Kent M. Syverson: Benefits of sand mining outweigh any negatives - La Crosse Tribune
Kent M. Syverson: Benefits of sand mining outweigh any negativesLa Crosse TribuneA public outbreak of silicosis from dust is not a potential impact of frac sand mining. Silicosis is an occupational health hazard. A company...
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Report Highlights Coal's Effect on Health, Pushes for Clean Energy Legislation - WFPL
Report Highlights Coal's Effect on Health, Pushes for Clean Energy LegislationWFPLThere are effects associated with renewable energy too—like silicosis caused by mining silica to make solar panels—but the report points...
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Strengthening bone with silica nanoparticles - Emory Health Now (blog)
Strengthening bone with silica nanoparticlesEmory Health Now (blog)Inhalation of larger particles of silica dust, an occupational hazard for miners and construction workers, can result in the lung disease silicosis. However,...
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Tool Cuts Silica Exposure for Concrete Drillers - Occupational Health and Safety
Tool Cuts Silica Exposure for Concrete DrillersOccupational Health and SafetyRempel installed a shroud around the drill bit and a vacuum system for local exhaust ventilation to capture the silica dust. According to CPWR, the...
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LIBERTY QUARRY: Hearing pits jobs vs. environmental concerns - Press-Enterprise
Press-EnterpriseLIBERTY QUARRY: Hearing pits jobs vs. environmental concernsPress-EnterpriseCritics say the quarry would send diesel exhaust and lung-clogging, microscopic silica dust along constant wind currents into...
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NIOSH Releases Handbook for Industrial Minerals Mining, Processing - Occupational Health and Safety
NIOSH Releases Handbook for Industrial Minerals Mining, ProcessingOccupational Health and SafetyThe handbook's introduction emphasizes the need to control exposures to respirable silica dust. The control technologies for...
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Public health board asks DNR to set silica standards - Chippewa Herald
Public health board asks DNR to set silica standardsChippewa HeraldMichels was also unsure about the research on silica dust hazards. Board member Dr. Steve Carlson agreed. “I can see the relationship from studies but I...
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Public hearing over contentious Temecula quarry draws hundreds - Southwest Riverside News Network
Southwest Riverside News NetworkPublic hearing over contentious Temecula quarry draws hundredsSouthwest Riverside News NetworkCommissioners cited elevated levels of silica dust and other pollutants in the first two years of...
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Council listens to frac concerns - Winona Post
Winona PostCouncil listens to frac concernsWinona PostEspinosa referred to recent air quality monitoring tests as showing that there was no crystalline silica detected -- the fine dust that is associated with silicosis, and...
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Proper Waste Removal Is No Waste of Time - Patch.com
Proper Waste Removal Is No Waste of TimePatch.comClay is strip-mined, its silica dust can coat your cat's lungs with carcinogenic sediment, and after grooming, its sodium bentonite clumping agent can swell up to 18 times...
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Metabo's New Heavy Duty Vacuum Improves Productivity with Auto-cleaning Filter ... - MarketWatch (press release)
Metabo's New Heavy Duty Vacuum Improves Productivity with Auto-cleaning Filter ...MarketWatch (press release)Standard surface prep kits, like Metabo's 5" and 7" kits, can be used with the ASR 35 to help...
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Residents raise more concerns about mining operation - TribLocal
Residents raise more concerns about mining operationTribLocalLimestone dust may also contain trace amounts of silica, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which can cause the lung disease, silicosis....
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Earth Friendly Litter Benefits Owner and Cat - PennLive.com
Earth Friendly Litter Benefits Owner and CatPennLive.comWhile cat litter dust will certainly aggravate your condition, it's important to note that the silica dust found in many clay based litters has been linked to...
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Hearing on 130 Westborough St. Resumes Monday - The Daily Millbury
Hearing on 130 Westborough St. Resumes MondayThe Daily MillburyRock dust health concerns: Some residents are concerned about the risk of certain types of cancer associated with silica dust. EPA Guidlines: Once the operation...
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Environmental Simulator offers near perfect accuracy. - ThomasNet Industrial News Room (press release)
Environmental Simulator offers near perfect accuracy.ThomasNet Industrial News Room (press release)"Fine silica dust, like that found in desert climates, is abrasive to mechanized equipment especially turbine-powered...
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LETTER: Don't let outside forces spoil our success stories - MPNnow.com (blog)
LETTER: Don't let outside forces spoil our success storiesMPNnow.com (blog)Experts on lung diseases (silicosis, cancer, autoimmune) speaking out. Are our officials listening? Mmmmm, that drilling company around...
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Media Day Blood Drive Is Monday - Wheeling News Register
Media Day Blood Drive Is MondayWheeling News RegisterLarry Holtz Jr. has chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, apparently the result of years of occupational exposure to silica dust and other chemicals, and is on the waiting...
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