Scientists Have Found The Effect Of Silica On The Lungs

Scientists Have Found The Effect Of Silica On The Lungs.
More performance is needed to slacken up illness and death among the millions of Americans exposed to silica dust at work, according to a budding report Dec, 2013. It has yearn been known that silica - a natural substance found in most rocks, sand and clay - causes the lung condition silicosis, and evidence has mounted in recent decades that silica causes lung cancer, said blast co-author Kyle Steenland, of the School of Public Health at Emory University. "Current regulations have in substance reduced silicosis death rates in the United States, but changed cases of silicosis continue to be diagnosed".

Recommended measures include stronger regulations, increased awareness and prevention, and greater regard to early detection of silicosis and lung cancer using low-dose CT scanning, the researchers said in the drift issue of CA: A Cancer Journal for Clinicians. "While the lung cancer imperil associated with silica exposure is not as large as some other lung carcinogens, get a bang smoking or asbestos exposure, there is strong and consistent evidence that silica hazard increases lung cancer risk," Steenland said in a journal news release.

The danger of on-the-job exposure to silica is highest in the construction industry. Exposure occurs when workers cut, grind, shame or drill silica-containing materials such as concrete, masonry, tile and rock. About 320000 US workers are exposed to silica dust in operations such as foundry work, sandblasting and brick, bona fide and ceramics manufacturing.

Silica exposure also occurs from hydraulic fracturing (fracking) in lubricate and gas wells. The most effective ways to control silica exposure on the job comprehend banning sandblasting, avoiding abrasive blasting, modifying processes and equipment, controlling dust transmission, and using particular protective equipment, the report said more help. Although people are exposed to debilitated levels of silica on beaches and in the air, there is no evidence that such low-level exposure affects health, the bang said.