Crystalline Silica is one of the most abundant minerals in the earth and is a basic component of soil, sand, granite and many other minerals. There are three main forms of crystalline silica, Quartz, Cristobalite and Tridymite. Quartz is the most common form of crystalline silica. All three forms of crystalline silica may become respirable size particles when workers undertake high-energy operations such as mining, quarrying, fracturing, crushing, hauling, carving, polishing, sawing, drilling, sanding, shaping, chipping, cutting or grinding any materials or products that contain crystalline silica.

Respirable crystalline silica particles are particles that are smaller than 10 microns in size, enabling these particles to reach deep into the human lungs.

Workers exposed to respirable crystalline silica can experience serious disease and ill health as the result of breathing in respirable crystalline silica dust. The seriousness of the adverse health hazards associated with respirable crystalline silica exposure is demonstrated by the disabling illnesses and diagnosis of silicosis that continues to occur in Australia.

Crystalline silica is a classified Group 1 human carcinogen (IARC 1997).

Silicosis is a preventable lung disease triggered when respirable size dust particles containing crystalline silica enter the lungs and causes the formation of scar tissue, thus reducing the lungs’ ability to take in oxygen.

Typical silica levels can vary greatly in different materials. Sandstone is almost pure silica at between 70-90%, granite is generally around 15-30% silica and engineered stone can be manufactured with 93% or more.

Workers exposure to respirable crystalline silica in the workplace is completely preventable, however, once workers are diagnosed with lung diseases such as silicosis it is debilitating as there is no cure for silicosis.

Workplace exposure to respirable crystalline silica can occur in many industries such as:

• Mining
• Quarrying
• Stonemasonary
• Stonecutting
• Rockdrilling
• Tunnelling
• Construction activities such as jack-hammering or concrete drilling
• Cement and Concrete manufacturing
• Brick manufacturing
• Asphalt pavement manufacturing
• Abrasive blasting
• Foundry work
• Maritime industry

Workers exposed to respirable crystalline silica are also at greater risk of developing other debilitating diseases, such as: Tuberculosis, Renal failure, Scleroderma and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Diseases, including bronchitis, emphysema, pulmonary hypertension and lymph node fibrosis. inhaling dusts may :

• Irritate eyes, aggravate or cause skin disorders and auto immune disorders
• Pulmonary Hypertension
• Chest infections
• Chronic bronchitis – inflammation of the airways resulting in cough and irritation
• Emphysema – destruction of lung tissue and loss of lung surface area impacting the exchange of gases such as oxygen and carbon dioxide
• Lung Cancer – occurs with heavy exposure to crystalline silica – smokers are grouped in the higher risk category
• Kidney damage and Chronic Kidney Disease – may require dialysis if severe
• Renal Disease – The mechanisms by which silica may damage the renal system can be either through direct (silica particles in the kidney) or indirect toxicity. This indirect toxicity likely occurs when the lungs, after being exposed to silica particles, begin to produce macrophages to attack the particles. This process, in addition to lymph node stimulation, activates the immune system and can lead to glomerulonephritis
• Scleroderma – a disease of the connective tissue of the body resulting in the formation of scar tissue in the skin, joints and other organs of the body, pins and needles in the hands can be a symptom.

There are four  classifications for the onset of silicosis, these are:

• Chronic Silicosis
• Accelerated Silicosis
• Complicated Silicosis
• Acute Silicosis.

Chronic Silicosis

This is the most common form of silicosis and usually occurs after a long period of exposure; typically 10-30 years of low to moderate dust exposure to Respirable Crystalline Silica, as the silica dust causes lungs and the lymph nodes to swell.

The symptoms of Chronic Silicosis may not be evident without a chest x-ray but as the disease progresses, those suffering will experience shortness of breath and cough.

Later stages may lead to fatigue, extreme shortness of breath, chest pain and ultimately respiratory failure.

Accelerated Silicosis

Accelerated Silicosis develops 3-10 years after first exposure of moderate to high concentrations of respirable crystalline silica.

Symptoms and x-ray findings are similar to chronic silicosis, but occur earlier and tend to progress more rapidly.

Workers diagnosed with accelerated silicosis are at greater risk for complicated silicosis, including progressive massive fibrosis (PMF).

Complicated Silicosis

Silicosis can become complicated by the development of severe scaring, where the nodules of the lungs gradually become confluent (merge together).

Progressive massive fibrosis (PMF) is associated with more severe symptoms and respiratory impairment.

Other lung diseases, such as tuberculosis, fungal infections and lung cancer, can also complicate silicosis.

Acute Silicosis

Acute silicosis develops in a few weeks to 3 years after exposure to extremely high concentrations of respirable crystalline silica.

Symptoms of acute silicosis include more rapid onset of severe disabling shortness of breath, severe cough, weakness and weight loss, which often leads to death.