Health Effects of Respirable Crystalline Silica

This post focuses on release of respirable crystalline silica by concrete batch plants. It does not purport to be a comprehensive discussion of all the activities which may produce silica dust.

Silica dust is released during the manufacture of concrete. Crystalline Silica dust is a known carcinogen. The dust particles are very small (1/100 the size of a grain of sand) which allows them to bypass the body’s defenses against dust and similar inhalants and penetrate to the deepest recesses of lungs.

Silicosis is the principle disease resulting from prolonged exposure to silica dust. The NIOSH CDC states: “Silicosis, an irreversible but preventable lung disease, is caused by inhalation of respirable silica dust. Work exposures to silica dust also cause other serious diseases, including lung cancer.“

The problem I have with the above statement is that an insignificant (my word) number of studies of non-occupational exposure to silica dust have been conducted. This is important because there are very limited data about what might be acceptable exposure limits and the effects of placing concrete batch plants near residential neighborhoods, schools, hospitals, and similar. There is an increasing number of Concrete Batch Plants near the above mentioned areas. It is my opinion these are being allowed by governing bodies because of the lack of information (studies) showing the hazards they pose to the general population.

To become more informed about the detrimental effects of silica dust and the symptoms of silicosis, I found this article to be a good place to start. I hope it helps inform, maybe even alarm, you also.