Title: Health Hazards – Silicosis & Other Risks
Type: Lesson
Exposure to respirable crystalline silica isn’t just irritating — it’s deadly. Once these particles enter the lungs, they can cause permanent damage that can’t be reversed.
Silicosis is a progressive, incurable lung disease caused by inhaling respirable silica dust.
| Type | Description |
|---|---|
| Chronic Silicosis | Develops after 10+ years of low-to-moderate exposure |
| Accelerated Silicosis | Develops within 5–10 years of high exposure |
| Acute Silicosis | Can develop in a matter of months with extremely high exposure |
Symptoms may include:
Shortness of breath
Chest pain
Fatigue
Coughing
Difficulty breathing during work
Silicosis gets worse even after exposure stops — and there’s no cure.
Silica dust is classified as a Group 1 human carcinogen by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC). Prolonged exposure increases the risk of developing lung cancer, especially among smokers.
Long-term silica exposure may lead to bronchitis or emphysema. Symptoms include:
Chronic coughing
Mucus production
Difficulty breathing
Wheezing
Research links silica exposure to:
Chronic kidney disease
Rheumatoid arthritis
Lupus and other autoimmune conditions
Anyone who:
Cuts, drills, grinds, or crushes concrete, tile, brick, or stone
Works near others performing these tasks
Fails to use proper dust control or PPE
Silica exposure isn’t just uncomfortable — it’s life-threatening. It’s critical to recognize symptoms early and use proper controls every time you’re exposed.
Click “Mark Complete” to continue to Lesson 3: Exposure Sources & High-Risk Tasks, where we’ll break down the specific jobs and tools that create the most risk.