Crystalline Silica in the Workplace

Paper Summary:

This study provides a discussion of silica, the evolution of crystalline silica dust exposure concerns, an overview of the various uses of crystalline silica in the workplace, a summary of the various governmental regulations and standards that currently govern crystalline silica in the workplace, and the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) evaluation process for classification of silica, a discussion of how the presence of crystalline silica is currently determined and measured in the workplace, as well as what can be done to protect workers from exposure to this hazardous material. Additionally, the various health risks resulting from crystalline silica exposure are discussed, including the relationship between crystalline silica exposure and the incidence of silicosis, cancer, and various autoimmune disorders. Finally, the specific dangers of exposure in the construction industry and among heavy-equipment operators are explored, and the growing body of legal actions resulting from crystalline silica exposure is discussed.

Contents
Introduction
Problem Statement
Purpose of Study
Importance of Study
Scope of Study
Rationale of Study
Definition of Terms
Overview of Study
Review of Literature
History of Crystalline Silica Exposure
Use of Crystalline Silica
Measurement of Crystalline Silica
Determining the Presence of Silica in the Workplace
Measuring Workplace Exposure to Crystalline Silica
Protection Against Crystalline Silica
Silicosis Resulting from Crystalline Silica
The IARC Evaluation Process
IARC Classification of Silica
Amended IARC Evaluation of Silica as a Carcinogen
Crystalline Silica and Autoimmune Diseases
Exposure to Silica in Construction
Exposure to Silica Among Heavy Equipment
Exposure to Silica in Sandblasters
Legal Actions
Death in the Workplace
Regulation
OSHA's Hazard Standard
Relevant OSHA Regulations
Methodology
Approach
Data Gathering
Database of Study
Validity of the Data
Originality & Limitations of the Data

From the Paper:

"Silicon is classified as a nonmetal, but it has many of the properties that are associated with metals. Some scientists refer to this type of an element as a metalloid. Silicon acts like a metal and conducts electricity at high temperatures, but at low temperatures, it behaves more like an insulator and does not conduct electricity. Therefore, it is referred to as a semiconductor. This particular property is what made silicon the perfect element to propel technology into the world of transistors, then integrated circuits, and finally today's computer chip (Boegel, 1968).
Silica is a chemical compound, as opposed to an element, and is formed from silicon and oxygen atoms. A chemical compound is defined as "a distinct and pure substance formed by the union of two or more elements" (USGS, 1992, p. 3). Due to the abundance of the elements of oxygen and silicon, the natural formation of silica is quite common. Silica sand, the substance from which pure silicon is derived, is made of quartz. Quartz is the most common form of silica found in nature."

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