Engineering controls for respirable crystalline silica hazards: investigations by NIOSH's Engineering and Physical Hazards Branch.

Details

• Personal Author:
  Alexander, Barbara M. ; Echt, Alan S. ; Garcia A ; Hammond, Duane R. ; Qi C
• Description:
  Respirable crystalline silica is one of the oldest occupational hazards, yet exposures to RCS still cause illness today. Inhalation of RCS is associated with a range of serious illnesses, but it is known primarily for causing silicosis, an incurable and often fatal fibrotic lung disease. Although engineering controls to reduce inhalation of RCS have been known and available for decades, people continue to succumb to its associated health effects. Researchers in the Engineering and Physical Hazards Branch (EPHB), in the Division of Field Studies and Engineering (DFSE) at NIOSH, have extensively studied engineering controls for tasks that produce RCS. In other NIOSH divisions, research on RCS controls also continues to be a priority. Silica, or silicon dioxide (SiO2), can be found in crystalline or amorphous forms. Its most abundant crystalline form is alpha quartz, an extremely common mineral found in sand, gravel, soil, clay, shale, slate, sandstone, granite, calcined diatomaceous earth, portland cement concrete, asphalt pavement, ceramics, brick, tile, masonry, mortar, and other materials. It is frequently found alongside deposits of ores and other resources that are mined, such as coal. We are surrounded by it-we walk on it, drive on it, eat and drink from it, and build with it. Although it can comprise many useful materials, it becomes hazardous after it is pulverized, aerosolized, and inhaled. [Description provided by NIOSH]
• Subjects:
  Aerosols Air Pollutants, Occupational Dust Engineering Lung Diseases Occupational Exposure Occupational Health Particulate Matter Respiratory Tract Diseases Safety Silicon Dioxide

  More +
• Keywords:
  Crystalline silica; Occupational exposure; Silicosis; Lung disease; Respirable dust; Particulates; Silicon dioxide; Aerosols; Airborne particles; Engineering controls
• ISSN:
  1066-7660
• Document Type:
  Text
• Genre:
  Journal Article
• Place as Subject:
  Ohio ; OSHA Region 5
• CIO:
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
• Division:
  DFSE - Division of Field Studies and Engineering
• Topic:
  Workplace Safety & Health
• Location:
  North America
• Pages in Document:
  20-25
• Volume:
  33
• Issue:
  4
• NIOSHTIC Number:
  nn:20065463
• Citation:
  Synergist 2022 Apr; 33(4):20-25
• Email:
  balexander@cdc.gov
• CAS Registry Number:
  Quartz (SiO2) (CAS RN 14808-60-7) ; Silica (CAS RN 7631-86-9)
• Federal Fiscal Year:
  2022
• NORA Priority Area:
  Construction
• Peer Reviewed:
  False
• Source Full Name:
  The Synergist
• Collection(s):
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
• Main Document Checksum:
  urn:sha-512:29b4c27ef99094f515d09911a13786521212094542fa94a646d79408a08d1b21885c9bfd54e7fe4726578852560bf1c8db2a8dd617a215b22d6b898c369097f5
• Download URL:
  https://stacks.cdc.gov/view/cdc/249444/cdc_249444_DS1.pdf
• File Type:
  [PDF - 840.44 KB ]