Since crystalline silica is not easily controllable, the only way to protect oneself from its particles is to use appropriate personal protective equipment.
The respiratory disease contracted by workers who are most exposed to silica dust
Silicosis is a respiratory disease caused by the inhalation of crystalline silica particles. This is one of the most widespread occupational diseases in the world, especially among those who work in metal mines as well as sandstone and granite quarries. Silicosis is part of the pneumoconiosis family which is characterized by pulmonary fibrosis and causes severe damage to the respiratory system. The disease develops as a result of free silica particles, which enter into circulation in the human body and cause the release of toxic enzymes which, in turn, cause pulmonary fibrosis. The disease develops in two stages depending on the exposure time to crystalline silica: the first stage, called nodular silicosis, is not lethal and hardly goes beyond coughing and expectoration. There is, moreover, hardly any reduction of lung capacity. The second stage is called silicosis in confluent nodules and can be lethal. In this case the large amounts of silica deposited in the lungs cause severe damage including hypertension and pulmonary granulomatosis. This second stage becomes apparent only after a prolonged exposure to silica (about 10 years) especially if the amount of crystals is very high as in the case of mining and tunnel drilling. The only treatment available at present is a lung transplant or drug therapy that can last several months. Mine or quarry workers should undergo a chest check-up every 6 months or so.
PPE and the measures that help prevent silicosis
As crystalline silica is not easily controllable, the only way to prevent silicosis and protect oneself against its particles is the use of appropriate Personal Protective Equipment. The main PPE to be used are face masks which offer good respiratory protection thanks to effective particle filters. Not all face pieces are suitable, though, because much depends on the filters fitted to them which have to be of a type that will protect against silica dust particles and be certified to current standards.
In this regard, current national and international standards specify that personal protective equipment is to bear the CE mark of conformity. In order to decrease risks, besides the use of masks, the work environment should be made safer by limiting the presence of crystalline silica: a very hard task especially in mines and quarries which are poorly ventilated environments by definition. Micro particles of silica may deposit on clothes, on the body and especially on the hands. For this reason, it is good practice to have a place where workers can wash and eat, thus avoiding direct contact with the crystals. In this regard, the use of gloves can be very important, even if not strictly connected with breathing.
Employers are obliged by law to provide their workers with appropriate, CE certified PPE.
In order to prevent exposure to silica dust, the Cleanspace2 respirator provided by KASCO is very useful. This is an innovative powered air purifying respirator equipped with high quality, high efficiency particle filter and prefilter.
May 15 2017
Exposure to silica dust: how to protect oneself effectively
The respiratory disease contracted by workers who are most exposed to silica dust
Silicosis is a respiratory disease caused by the inhalation of crystalline silica particles. This is one of the most widespread occupational diseases in the world, especially among those who work in metal mines as well as sandstone and granite quarries. Silicosis is part of the pneumoconiosis family which is characterized by pulmonary fibrosis and causes severe damage to the respiratory system. The disease develops as a result of free silica particles, which enter into circulation in the human body and cause the release of toxic enzymes which, in turn, cause pulmonary fibrosis. The disease develops in two stages depending on the exposure time to crystalline silica: the first stage, called nodular silicosis, is not lethal and hardly goes beyond coughing and expectoration. There is, moreover, hardly any reduction of lung capacity. The second stage is called silicosis in confluent nodules and can be lethal. In this case the large amounts of silica deposited in the lungs cause severe damage including hypertension and pulmonary granulomatosis. This second stage becomes apparent only after a prolonged exposure to silica (about 10 years) especially if the amount of crystals is very high as in the case of mining and tunnel drilling. The only treatment available at present is a lung transplant or drug therapy that can last several months. Mine or quarry workers should undergo a chest check-up every 6 months or so.
PPE and the measures that help prevent silicosis
As crystalline silica is not easily controllable, the only way to prevent silicosis and protect oneself against its particles is the use of appropriate Personal Protective Equipment. The main PPE to be used are face masks which offer good respiratory protection thanks to effective particle filters. Not all face pieces are suitable, though, because much depends on the filters fitted to them which have to be of a type that will protect against silica dust particles and be certified to current standards.
In this regard, current national and international standards specify that personal protective equipment is to bear the CE mark of conformity. In order to decrease risks, besides the use of masks, the work environment should be made safer by limiting the presence of crystalline silica: a very hard task especially in mines and quarries which are poorly ventilated environments by definition. Micro particles of silica may deposit on clothes, on the body and especially on the hands. For this reason, it is good practice to have a place where workers can wash and eat, thus avoiding direct contact with the crystals. In this regard, the use of gloves can be very important, even if not strictly connected with breathing.
In order to prevent exposure to silica dust, the Cleanspace2 respirator provided by KASCO is very useful. This is an innovative powered air purifying respirator equipped with high quality, high efficiency particle filter and prefilter.
By Kasco Srl • Blog •