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2. What Types of Injuries are Caused by Silica?
Silicosis, lung cancer, tuberculosis, lupus,
scleroderma, and rheumatoid arthritis are among
the diseases caused by the inhalation of
respirable crystalline silica particles. Silicosis
is the most common disease caused by breathing
silica, and the oldest known occupational lung
disease. When crystalline silica particles are
inhaled, the human body sends defense mechanisms,
called macrophages, to try to destroy the silica
particles. However, the silica particles end up
destroying the macrophages.
After this happens, the lung tissue develops
scarring, called fibrosis or Silicosis. Silicosis
is usually found in the upper lobes of the lung.
On an x-ray, the scarring appears round, or
nodular. Silicosis is incurable and nonreversible.
As the scarring increases, shortness of breath and
breathing difficulty is common. In extreme cases,
death may result. Symptoms of silicosis include
cough, shortness of breath, wheezing, and repeated
chest illnesses. Silicosis is diagnosed through
pulmonary function tests, chest x-rays, and a
history of occupational exposure to silica.
There are three types of silicosis: Chronic
Silicosis; Acute Silicosis; and Accelerated
Silicosis.
Chronic silicosis usually occurs after 10
or more years of exposure to crystalline silica at
relatively low concentrations.
Acute silicosis occurs from high exposures
and can cause symptoms to develop within in a few
weeks or up to 5 years.
Accelerated silicosis results from exposure
to high concentrations of crystalline silica and
develops 5 to 10 years after the initial exposure.
Chronic silicosis, the most common form of the
disease, may go undetected for years in the early
stages; in fact, a chest X-ray may not reveal an
abnormality until after 15 or 20 years of
exposure.
Persons with silicosis are at high risk for
developing tuberculosis (TB). Silica is believed
to interfere with the body's immune response to
the bacteria that causes TB. Annual skin testing
to check for exposure to TB is recommended, and
treatment with anti-TB drugs is recommended for
persons with a positive skin test.
Recent studies have also linked silica exposure to
lung cancer.
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