Silica Dust Properties and Its Effects on Human Health

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Silica dust properties and its effects on human health
Silica exists in a stable form of Silicon dioxide which naturally occurs in amorphous or
crystalline forms. It occurs in various forms but most commonly as an alpha-quartz (α-quartz).
Silicon is poorly soluble in water but the quartz form slightly dissolves in bodily fluids (IARC
Humans 2018). Alpha Quartz is mostly released as a mixture with other rock particles during
excavation, grinding, blasting, construction or mining processes. According to Osha.gov (2018),
inhaling of silica in small amounts can result into many respiratory diseases including silicosis
which is identified as a very devastating respiratory disease, considered incurable, and leads to
disability and ultimately death in severe cases.
Silicosis is the common disease as a result of inhaling silica particles. Silicosis affects the
lungs by forming a scar in the lungs making it difficult for oxygen gas to diffuse across the walls
of the lungs. Silicosis develops in cases where an individual is exposed to the dust particles
containing silica for a considerably long time. Symptoms for silicosis is said not to be so obvious
and therefore it is necessary that individuals who may be exposed to dust conditions should get a
chest x-ray to find out if in any case their lungs are damaged due to silica contents. Silicosis
progression is likely to come with symptoms such as breath shortness, fatigue, pains in the chest
or failure in respiratory system (AMI Environmental, 2018).
Apart from silicosis, inhalation of silica also contributes greatly to cancer diseases
(Ruzan, 2017). Continuous exposure to silica escalates the probability of workers getting lung
cancer. Lung cancer is due to abnormal cell elongation in the lungs forming tumors which
become uncontrollable. These overgrown cells interfere with the lungs functionality and can
move to the rest of the body. Other lung conditions may also develop aside from cancer from the
inhalation of silica. One such condition is known as Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

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(COPD). It is also characterized by breath shortness due to breathing difficulty. According to
Sharman & Hamilton (2018), asthma is one quick respiratory condition that affects a worker
exposed to a dusty condition containing silica. Asthma is known to be a long-term respiratory
disease that is very difficult to manage and comes with symptoms such as shortness of breath,
tightness of the chest, difficulty to breath, a wheezing sound of the chest when breathing and
coughing (Hse.gov.uk. 2018).
Risks workers are still exposed to after precaution
Construction workers are still exposed to other levels of risks at a dusty workplace.
Workers involved in excavation, deep digging and blasting face the risks of a collapse of
adjacent structures due to the impact of the excavation on the ground. This can lead to the
sinking of areas around the work leading to burying of workers and/or their property leading to
loss of property and life. Secondly, such workers stand the risk of being buried in the holes as
they build or construct structures during their normal routine. Water ingress is also a risk to the
workers either from the ground or fills up during heavy rains. Heavy gases such as Carbon
dioxide may also infiltrate the excavations and cause toxicity and suffocation during deep
excavation (Rrc.co.uk., 2018).
Available treatments of Silicosis, Success rates, and Costs
According to MedlinePlus.gov (2018), there is no specific treatment for silicosis. This is
a condition that turns permanent once an individual is exposed for a long time to a silica dust.
The duration of its manifestation, however, varies depending on the extent of exposure with the
first symptoms showing up after a period of fifteen years of continuous exposure. The best
practice to encourage management of silicosis is the proper management of working conditions
and offering safety to workers in a dusty environment. Silicosis will be a controlled disease when