Crystalline Silica (SiO2)
What is Crystalline Silica?
Crystalline silica is a naturally occurring mineral found in sand, stone, and rock.
Silica Dust Safety
Respirable crystalline silica is produced when materials containing silica are disturbed, such as during sand handling, cutting, grinding, or heavy equipment movement. Workers may be exposed when they clean up dry sediment or use sandbags for oil barriers. Dust from the disturbed dry sand may contain respirable silica, which can be inhaled.
Health Risks
Very small silica particles can be inhaled deep into the lungs.
- Short-term exposure may cause coughing, chest tightness, and breathing difficulty.
- Long-term exposure causes silicosis, an irreversible lung disease.
- Silica exposure increases the risk of COPD, lung cancer, and kidney disease.
Occupational Exposure Limits
- NIOSH REL: TWA 0.05 mg/m³.
- OSHA PEL: TWA 50 µg/m³.
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4-7. What is crystalline silica most commonly found in?
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