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Abstract


This study provides a discussion of silica, the evolution of crystalline silica dust exposure concerns, an overview of the various uses of crystalline silica in the workplace, a summary of the various governmental regulations and standards that currently govern crystalline silica in the workplace and the IARC evaluation process for classification of silica, a discussion of how the presence of crystalline silica is currently determined and measured in the workplace, as well as of what can be done to protect workers from exposure to this hazardous material. Additionally, the various health risks resulting from crystalline silica exposure are discussed, including the relationship between crystalline silica exposure and the incidence of silicosis, cancer and various autoimmune disorders. Finally, the specific dangers of exposure in the construction industry and among heavy-equipment operators are explored, and the growing body of legal actions resulting from crystalline silica exposure is discussed. Contents: Introduction Problem Statement Purpose of Study Importance of Study Scope of Study Rationale of Study Definition of Terms Overview of Study Review of Literature History of Crystalline Silica Exposure Use of Crystalline Silica Measurement of Cystalline Silica Determining the Presence of Silicia in the Workplace Measuring Workplace Exposure to Cyristalline Silica Protection Against Crystalline Silica Silicosis Resulting from Crystalline Silica The IARC Evalutation Process IARC Classification of Silica Amended IARC Evaluation of Silica as a Carcinogen Crystalline Silica and Autoimmune Diseases Exposure to Silica in Construction Exposure to Silica Among Heavy Equipment Expusure to Silica in Sandblasters Legal Actions Death in the Workplace Regulation OSHA's Hazard Standard Relevant OSHA Regulations Methodology Approach Data Gathering Database of Study Validity of the Data Originality & Limitations of the Data

 


From the Paper:


"Silicon is classified as a nonmetal, but it has many of the properties that are associated with metals. Some scientists refer to this type of an element as a metalloid. Silicon acts like a metal and conducts electricity at high temperatures, but at low temperatures, it behaves more like an insulator and does not conduct electricity. Therefore, it is referred to as a semiconductor. This particular property is what made silicon the perfect element to propel technology into the world of transistors, then integrated circuits, and finally today's computer chip (Boegel, 1968). Silica is a chemical compound, as opposed to an element, and is formed from silicon and oxygen atoms. A chemical compound is defined as "a distinct and pure substance formed by the union of two or more elements" (USGS, 1992, p. 3). Due to the abundance of the elements of oxygen and silicon, the natural formation of silica is quite common. Silica sand, the substance from which pure silicon is derived, is made of quartz. Quartz is the most common form of silica found in nature."

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