6. What Was Known About Silica And When Did The Companies Know It?

Silicosis was identified hundreds of years ago as a disease caused by exposure to silica (sand). In spite of knowing the dangers of the disease, companies sold sand to use in sandblasting and other occupations for decades without warning of the dangers of exposure to silica.

Silicosis is a preventable illness. With proper respiratory protection and adequate safeguards, no one should develop this disease. Unfortunately, many silica companies have failed to protect workers exposed to airborne silica dust.

Silicosis has been a recognized disease for over 400 years.

• In 1917 the United States Public Health Service called attention to the prevalence of silicosis in foundry workers.
   
• In the 1930s, silicosis became well-known in the United States as scientific and industrial journals had articles discussing the hazards of silica exposure.
   
• In 1937, the United State Department of Labor held a National Silicosis Conference to discuss exposure to silica and protections for workers, including respirators and ventilation.
   
• In 1949, England banned the use of crystalline silica sand as an abrasive blasting agent.
   
• In the early 1970s, NIOSH recommended that sand be replaced by something else as an abrasive for blasting operations and established the 1974 NIOSH Criteria for a Recommended Standard, Occupational Exposure to Crystalline Silica.

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