Silica and Silicosis
Silica is a component of sand used in many industrial applications. When the mineral is broken up or blasted by equipment, the silica dust becomes airborne. This most commonly occurs when silica is used by sandblasters to clean equipment, when it is mixed as silica flour or when it is ground in foundries.
Inhalation of airborne silica dust has been found to cause serious respiratory diseases such as silicosis or other health problems.
Similarities with asbestos
Silica shares many qualities with asbestos. Workers may be exposed to silica, which can enter the lungs and cause irreversible lung scarring (called silicosis) and lung cancer. Individuals may develop one of several types of silicosis, depending on the length and nature of their exposure.
When asbestos fibers are disturbed, they enter the cavities of vital organs and attack the mesothelium layer, causing a cancer known as mesothelioma. The risk of silica-related diseases increases with the length of exposure.
No effective treatment
Those who develop silicosis have usually been exposed to airborne silica for years, but the symptoms of silicosis may not manifest until 15 to 40 years after the first exposure. There is no effective treatment to reverse the scarring on lung tissue caused by silica, and the disease may be disabling or fatal.
The attorneys at Hissey Kientz care about helping those affected by harmful substances like silica or asbestos. If you or a loved one has been affected by silica exposure, call us today, toll-free at (866) 275-4454 or fill out a free online case evaluation to the right of this page.