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3. Dust Off Your Knowledge of Silica
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Dust Off Your Knowledge of Silica
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4. Silica is a common mineral.
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Silica is a common mineral.
It’s the second most common on Earth.
Sand and rocks contain silica.
There are different types of silica.
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Crystalline silica is the dangerous one.
Most beach sand is the safe type.
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5. Crystalline silica dust harms your lungs.
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Lungs scar and develop nodules.
Nodules block the uptake of oxygen.
Lungs can’t get oxygen into the blood.
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Silicosis kills about 250 yearly in the US.
Silica is connected with bronchitis and TB.
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6. Silica in lungs overwhelms bodily defenses.
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Overwhelmed systems can’t fight infections.
Sufferers may have a severe cough.
And shortness of breath after exertion.
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Or appetite loss, fatigue, chest pain or fever.
Bluish skin on lips or earlobes are symptoms.
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7. Silicosis comes in three types.
They are:
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chronic •
accelerated •
acute
Type depends on how much dust is inhaled.
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Chronic silicosis is most common.
It can go undetected for years.
It may take 10 years to develop.
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8. Accelerated takes five to 10 years.
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It’s from inhaling high concentrations.
Acute silicosis comes most suddenly.
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It comes from breathing the most silica.
Symptoms can develop in mere weeks.
Or during the next five years of exposure.
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9. More than 100,000 US workers are high-risk.
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They are in high exposure-to-silica jobs.
Sandblasters might breathe the most dust.
Along with workers in drilling and mining.
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Or jack hammering, masonry and grinding.
And glass, ceramics and farm workers.
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10. Smoking increases silicosis damage.
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There is no cure for silicosis.
But it can be prevented.
Just reduce exposure to crystalline dust.
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Use a substitute for crystalline silica sand.
This is the safer way to do abrasive blasting.
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11. You can prevent silicosis even if at risk.
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Know how to maintain exhaust ventilation.
And perhaps dust collection systems.
Do wet sweeping instead of dry.
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Remove silica dust via water hose.
Or use a HEPA filter vacuum.
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12. Keep respirators clean and maintained.
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Wash up before eating or drinking.
Don’t eat, drink or smoke in work area.
If possible, change clothes at worksite.
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And shower after shift, and change.
Disposable or washable clothing is best.
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13. Silica – Test Your Knowledge
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1. Inhaling dust can kill you if it contains which
of the following:
a) Amorphous silica.
b) Crystalline silica.
c) Silicone beads.
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2. Silica dust causes silicosis by which of
the following routes:
a) Abrasion to skin.
b) Causing you to choke on the dust.
c) Scarring of lungs.
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14. Test Your Knowledge continued
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3. Symptoms of silicosis may include severe
cough and shortness of breath after exertion.
True or False
4. There are no other symptoms of silicosis.
True or False
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5. Which type of silicosis is most common?
a) Chronic silicosis.
b) Accelerated silicosis.
c) Acute silicosis.
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15. Test Your Knowledge continued
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6. Sandblasting is the least risky job, regarding
the hazard of inhaling crystalline silica.
True or False
7. Smoking increases the damage in lungs
scarred by silica.
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True or False
8. There are many cures for silicosis.
True or False
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16. Test Your Knowledge continued
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9. Which of the following can help prevent
silicosis:
a) Do wet sweeping instead of dry in
silica-dust areas.
b) Wash hands and face before eating
or drinking.
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c) Brush off your dusty work clothes
when you enter your home.
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17. Test Your Knowledge continued
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10. A certified industrial hygienist is the best person to handle silica air sampling equipment and filters to be sent out for testing.
SAFETY TALKS!
True or False
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18. for PowerPoint
SAFETY TALKS!
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