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Silica: the new asbestos?
Decades ago, asbestos was regarded as a harmless mineral with many beneficial uses. Today, most all employers and workers know that asbestos must be handled with extreme care.
While WorkSafeBC and others continue to raise awareness about asbestos, the bigger battle is in raising awareness of how other commonly used substances can result in life-changing and life-ending illnesses.
Substances like silica.
What is silica?
It’s the basic component of sand and rock. It’s found in common materials like concrete, cement, mortar, tiles, granite, fill dirt, and top soil. Like asbestos fibres, fine silica dust can’t always be seen and can easily be inhaled.
Prolonged breathing of silica dust causes silicosis—the thickening and scarring of lung tissue. It can develop in a matter of months or mere weeks, leaving victims unable to breathe properly, and making them more susceptible to lung infections. Breathing silica dust can also cause lung cancer. The damage is permanent and there is no cure. The disease can kill.
Who is exposed to it?
Silica is so common that any workplace activity that creates dust can expose workers to the airborne particles. Dust can be created by grinding or otherwise breaking concrete; cutting brick or tiles; moving rock, gravel, or soil with high silica content; sweeping concrete dust; manufacturing stone products and ceramics; and sand blasting.
And, while silicosis is irreversible, it is preventable. Employers and workers need to be aware of the risks of silica and the steps they can take to protect themselves.
Watch this video on silica exposure.
If you are considering doing a story on the dangers of silica…
WorkSafeBC media relations can provide resources, statistics, and arrange for interview with subject matter experts on occupational diseases and exposure prevention.
For more information on this or other topics, please contact:
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Megan Johnston |
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