What lung disease does silica dust cause?
Breathing crystalline silica dust can cause silicosis, which in severe cases can be disabling, or even fatal. When silica dust enters the lungs, it causes the formation of scar tissue, which makes it difficult for the lungs to take in oxygen. There is no cure for silicosis.
Which lung disorder is caused due to the exposure to silicate minerals?
Silicosis is a long-term lung disease caused by inhaling large amounts of crystalline silica dust, usually over many years. Silica is a substance naturally found in certain types of stone, rock, sand and clay. Working with these materials can create a very fine dust that can be easily inhaled.
How can I prevent silica dust in my lungs?
Other ways to prevent silicosis on the job:
- Use blasting cabinets or proper ventilation.
- Use wet methods to cut, chip, or grind materials.
- Swap blasting material that contains silica for other types.
- Use respirators that protect you from inhaling silica.
- Don’t eat or drink near silica dust.
What is the prevention of silicosis?
The key to preventing silicosis is to keep dust out of the air. Dust controls can be as simple as a water hose to wet the dust before it becomes airborne. Use the following methods to control respirable crystalline silica: Use the dust collection systems available for many types of dust-generating equipment.
What does cement dust do to your lungs?
Crystalline silica is found in materials such as concrete, masonry and rock. When these mate- rials are made into a fine dust and suspended in the air, breathing in these fine particles can produce lung damage. Silicosis can be totally disabling and may lead to death.
What is silica disease?
Crystalline Silica: Health Risks Silica dust particles become trapped in lung tissue, causing inflammation and scarring and reducing the lungs’ ability to take in oxygen. This condition is called silicosis. Silicosis results in permanent lung damage and is a progressive, debilitating, and sometimes fatal disease.
Does silica dust leave the lungs?
As these particles damage the lungs, scar tissue forms and limits oxygen absorption. Even after exposure to silica dust ceases, the particles remain in the lungs and continue causing damage. This condition is called silicosis, and there is no cure.
What happens when dust goes into lungs?
The dust surrounded by the mucus will be pushed upwards with the help of cilia present in the bronchioles and bronchi and comes out in cough, spit from the throat. Still smaller particles of dust might reach the alveoli (where exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide takes place).
What are the symptoms of silica poisoning?
These commonly include bronchitis-like symptoms such as persistent cough, shortness of breath and difficulty breathing. People also suffer from weakness, fatigue, fever, night sweats, leg swelling and bluish discoloration of the lips.
Can dust cause lung damage?
Dust particles and dust-containing macrophages collect in the lung tissues, causing injury to the lungs. The amount of dust and the kinds of particles involved influence how serious the lung injury will be. For example, after the macrophages swallow silica particles, they die and give off toxic substances.
How does silica dust harm the body?
Silica dust particles become trapped in lung tissue, causing inflammation and scarring and reducing the lungs’ ability to take in oxygen. This condition is called silicosis. Silicosis results in permanent lung damage and is a progressive, debilitating, and sometimes fatal disease.
What are the symptoms of silicosis?
a persistent cough
How to treat silicosis?
Timely treatment of respiratory infections.
What is silica dust?
What is silica dust? Silica is a common naturally occurring mineral, also known as silicon dioxide. Silica can be found or manufactured in different forms, broadly divided into crystalline and non-crystalline (amorphous).
What is silicosis caused by?
Silicosis is an interstitial lung disease caused by breathing in tiny bits of silica, a common mineral found in many types of rock and soil. Over time, exposure to silica particles causes permanent lung scarring, called pulmonary fibrosis.