SILICOSIS

Occupational dust poisoning – leading cause of silicosis and asbestosis

Silicosis occurrence, like asbestosis, is predictable among people overexposed to dusts in certain industries and occupations, such as mining, construction, manufacturing and building maintenance. Whether the dust is silica (silicosis) or microscopic asbestos fibers (asbestosis), accidental work site inhalation has been linked to both incurable diseases, respectively.

What is silicosis?

July 7, 2010 – Silicosis, like asbestosis and mesothelioma, is an occupational lung disease. Silicosis is caused by work site inhalation of silica dust.

The name is derived from the word “silica,” a common, naturally occurring crystal found in most rock beds.

More than one million U.S. workers are exposed to crystalline silica dust, and each year hundreds of these workers die from silicosis.

Silicosis treatment is very limited as there is no cure for the disease, but, like asbestosis, it is 100 percent preventable if employers, workers, and health professionals work together to reduce exposures.

Physicians can contribute to this effort through accurate diagnosis and disease reporting, as silicosis is often misdiagnosed as pulmonary edema (fluid in the lungs), pneumonia or tuberculosis.

Silicosis is a job-related disease

Silica is a basic element found in sand, so glass workers and sandblasters are exposed to silica dust on a regular basis. Other jobs in which people are exposed to silica include:

Construction
Mining
Stone cutting
Quarrying
Masonry - Cement Work
Foundry Workers, Sand Mold Shakeout
Demolition
Road and building construction
Cutting or manufacturing heat-resistant bricks (Fire Brick)
Railroad construction
Plumbing
Painting

Intense exposure to silica dust in any one of the above occupations can cause disease within a year, but due to the long latency period (also common to asbestos-related asbestosis and mesothelioma), silicosis usually takes at least 10 to 15 years of exposure before symptoms occur.

Symptoms of silicosis are characterized by inflammation and scarring of lung tissue in the upper lobes of the lungs. Other symptoms include shortness of breath, cough, fever, and cyanosis (bluish skin).

Silicosis has become less common since the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) created regulations requiring the use of protective equipment, which limits the amount of silica dust workers inhale.

Weitz & Luxenberg represents asbestos claims

Weitz & Luxenberg has helped asbestos-injured workers recover monetary compensation for more than 20 years, often achieving record-setting verdicts and settlements in this practice area.

Weitz & Luxenberg does not accept silicosis claims.

But if you or a family member has been diagnosed with asbestosis or mesothelioma cancer, you are eligible for a free and private review of your case through the communication form on this page.

Find out today if you are eligible for financial compensation due to your asbestos-related injury.