Scientists Have Found The Effect Of Silica On The Lungs

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

Recommended measures include stronger regulations, increased awareness and prevention, and greater prominence to early detection of silicosis and lung cancer using low-dose CT scanning, the researchers said in the prevailing issue of CA: A Cancer Journal for Clinicians. "While the lung cancer peril associated with silica exposure is not as large as some other lung carcinogens, equal 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, pulp 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, substantial 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 count banning sandblasting, avoiding abrasive blasting, modifying processes and equipment, controlling dust transmission, and using familiar protective equipment, the report said japan. Although people are exposed to lachrymose levels of silica on beaches and in the air, there is no evidence that such low-level exposure affects health, the explosion said.