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People who work in mining may breathe in tiny bits of silica, and eventually, develop a serious lung disease called silicosis. There is no cure for silicosis. Lung damage from silicosis is permanent, but with proper precautions it is preventable. Silicosis usually develops after years of exposure to low levels of silica. However, it can develop much sooner (even within a few weeks) if you breathe in high levels of silica dust. Breathing in silica dust is also associated with lung cancer, tuberculosis, and airway diseases.
Silica is the common name for silicon dioxide, a white or colorless compound found naturally in sand, granite, and many other types of rock. Quartz is the most common form of silica and is the second most common mineral in the earth’s surface. Since it is so abundant, quartz is present in nearly all mining operations.
Miners working at surface mines are at risk of being exposed to silica-containing dust. The most common mine activities where exposure may be elevated include the drilling of rock, crushing, and loading of mine material. Miners operating equipment such a highway drills, end loaders, dozers and trucks on mine property have a high probability of exposure. Furthermore, all miners working at surface coal mines are at risk of being exposed to silica-containing dust.
Symptoms of silicosis may not appear in the early stages, but can develop with time and usually get worse as the disease progresses. Symptoms may include:
Miners must undergo a medical examination to determine the presence of silicosis. This is especially important for miners who have worked in areas with a high probability of exposure to silica-containing dust. Talk to your doctor about your silica exposure and the necessary medical screening.
The Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) regulations require that controls be used when drilling rock to prevent miners from being exposed to dust from the drilling action. Holes must be drilled wet or other effective means must be used to prevent dust exposures. Use of dry dust collectors on drills is an example of an effective means of control. MSHA continues to enforce the 2.0 mg/m3 or lower standard for respirable coal mine dust. Samples are analyzed for silica content to determine if the respirable dust standard should be reduced to control the miner's exposure to silica.
Mine operators are required to provide and assure the use of appropriate controls for dust while drilling in rock.
Miners should: