Hazard Review
NIOSH
Hazard Review: Health Effects of Occupational Exposure to Respirable
Crystalline Silica DHHS (NIOSH)
Publication No. 2002-129 (April 2002)
This Hazard Review describes published studies and
literature on the health effects of occupational exposure to respirable
crystalline silica among workers in the U.S. and many other countries.
Occupational exposures to respirable crystalline silica are associated
with the development of silicosis, lung cancer, pulmonary tuberculosis,
and airways diseases. These exposures may also be related to the
development of autoimmune disorders, chronic renal disease, and other
adverse health effects.
NIOSH Recommendations for Preventing Silicosis
Criteria for a Recommended
Standard—Crystalline Silica
DHEW (NIOSH) Publication No. 75-120 (1974)
This report presents the criteria and recommended standards for
preventing occupational diseases arising from exposure to crystalline
variants of free silica. Criteria presented in this document do not
pertain to amorphous, noncrystalline forms of silica.
Current Intelligence
Bulletin #36: Silica Flour: Silicosis (Crystalline Silica)
DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 81-137 (1981)
This report warns producers and users of silica flour that the risk of
developing silicosis may be very high for exposed workers.
NIOSH Alert: Request for
Assistance in Preventing Silicosis and Deaths from Sandblasting
DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 92-102 (1992)
En Español
This Alert describes 99 cases of silicosis from exposure to crystalline
silica during sandblasting. Of the 99 workers reported, 14 have already
died from the disease, and the remaining 85 may die eventually from
silicosis or its complications.
Alert: Request in Preventing
Silicosis and Deaths in Rock Drillers
DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 92-107 (1992)
En Español
This Alert describes 23 cases of silicosis from exposure to crystalline
silica during rock drilling. Of the 23 workers reported, 2 workers have
already died from the disease, and the remaining 21 may die eventually
from silicosis or its complications.
NIOSH Alert: Request for
Assistance in Preventing Silicosis and Deaths in Construction Workers
DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 96-112 (1996)
En Español
This Alert describes six case reports of construction workers who have
died or are suffering from silicosis. In addition, the Alert cites
examples of five construction operations that used poor dust controls
and two operations that used good dust controls.
Occupational Health Guideline for Amorphous Silica
PDF only 4187
KB (130 pages)
This guideline is intended as a source of information for employees,
employers, physicians, industrial hygienists and other occupational
health professionals who may have a need for information on amorphous
silica.
Occupational Health Guideline for Crystalline Silica
PDF only 4187
KB (130 pages)
This guideline is intended as a source of information for employees,
employers, physicians, industrial hygienists and other occupational
health professionals who may have a need for a need for information on
crystalline silica.
B-Reader Program
NIOSH
B-Reader Program
NIOSH B Reader certification is granted to physicians who demonstrate
proficiency in the classification of chest x-rays for the
pneumoconioses using the International Labour Office (ILO)
Classification System. The NIOSH Chest Radiography Topic Page has searchable databases of NIOSH B readers and successful international examinees.
Spirometry
Spirometry Monitoring Technology
NIOSH topic page with link to software for Spirometry Longitudinal Data Analysis (SPIROLA).
Spirometry Training Course
Information about training for those individuals who will be
administering screening pulmonary function testing to employees who are
exposed to cotton dust.
Respirators
NEW Respiratory Protection Recommendations for Airborne
Exposures to Crystalline Silica
DHEW (NIOSH) Publication No. 2008-140 (July 2008)
NIOSH recommends the use of half-facepiece particulate respirators with N95 or better filters for airborne exposures to crystalline silica at concentrations less than or equal to 0.5 mg/m3.
NIOSH
Respirators Topic Page
Provides information about respirators, including user
notices, respirator selection, respirator certification processes,
standards and rulemaking.
Certified
Equipment List
Database of all certified respirators and coal mine dust
personal sampler units.
Video Programs
NIOSH Training Videos
Some NIOSH video programs are available online in streaming and
downloadable formats. All NIOSH video programs can be borrowed (and
copied) free of charge.
Joint Campaign for Silicosis Prevention
A Guide To Working Safely With Silica: If It's Silica,
It's Not Just Dust (1997)
PDF only 213 KB (21 pages)
This guide, a cooperative effort between the Department of Labor and
NIOSH, explains how you can protect yourself and others if you work in
one of the dozens of industries where dust containing silica is present.
Press Release on Joint
Campaign on Silicosis Prevention
Reprint of original press release from the U.S. Department of Labor -
Office of Public Affairs
"Preventing Silicosis"
(October 31, 1996)
En Español
Reprint of U.S. Department of Labor fact sheet.
Sampling and Analytical Methods
NIOSH Manual of Analytical Methods
(NMAM), 4th edition
DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 94-113 (1994)
NMAM is a collection of methods for sampling and analysis of
contaminants in workplace air, and in the blood and urine of workers
who are occupationally exposed. These methods have been developed or
adapted by NIOSH or its partners and have been evaluated according to
established experimental protocols and performance criteria. NMAM also
includes chapters on quality assurance, sampling, portable
instrumentation, etc.
- Method #7501 - Silica, Amorphous
PDF only 44 KB (8 pages)
- Method #7500 - Silica, Crystalline, by XRD
PDF only 50 KB (8 pages)
- Method #7601 - Silica, Crystalline
PDF only 28 KB (5 pages)
- Method #7602 - Silica, Crystalline (IR)
PDF only 29 KB (5 pages)
- Method #7603 - Silica in coal mine dust
PDF only 33 KB (6 pages)
NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical
Hazards
DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 2005-149
Exposure limits, Respirator Recommendations, First Aid, more...
The Pocket Guide is a source of general industrial hygiene information on several
hundred chemicals/classes found in the work environment. Key data provided for
each chemical/substance includes name (including synonyms/trade names), structure/formula,
CAS/RTECS Numbers, DOT ID, conversion factors, exposure limits, IDLH, chemical
and physical properties, measurement methods, personal protection, respirator
recommendations, symptoms, and first aid.
Worker Notification Program
Through the NIOSH Worker
Notification Program, NIOSH notifies workers and other
stakeholders about the findings of past research studies related to a
wide variety of exposures. The links below present archival materials
sent to participants in studies related to crystalline silica exposure.
Surveillance
Occupational
Respiratory Disease Surveillance (ORDS)
NIOSH Topic Page about occupational respiratory disease medical
screening and monitoring
Atlas of Respiratory Disease
Mortality, United States: 1982-1993
DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 98-157 (1998)
This report presents maps showing geographic distributions (by health
service area) of mortality associated with selected respiratory
conditions that together represent nearly all respiratory diseases. For
categories of traditional occupational lung diseases mapped in this
atlas (i.e., the pneumoconioses, including coal workers’
pneumoconiosis, asbestosis, silicosis, byssinosis, and other and
unspecified pneumoconioses), nearly all cases are attributable to
hazardous occupational exposure.
MMWR: Morbidity and
Mortality Weekly Report
The MMWR weekly contains data on specific diseases as reported by state
and territorial health departments and reports on infectious and
chronic diseases, environmental hazards, natural or human-generated
disasters, occupational diseases and injuries, and intentional and
unintentional injuries. Included here are a collection of articles
related to occupational exposure to silica.
- NEW Silicosis-Related Years of Potential Life Lost Before Age 65 Years --- United States, 1968--2005
MMWR Weekly for July 18, 2008 / 57(28);771-775
- Silicosis Deaths Among Young Adults -- United States, 1968-1994
MMWR Weekly for May 1, 1998 / 47(16);331-335
- Silicosis
Mortality, Prevention, and Control --- United States, 1968--2002
MMWR Weekly for April 19, 2005 / 54(16);401-405
- Silicosis
in Dental Laboratory Technicians --- Five States, 1994--2000
MMWR Weekly for March 12, 2004 / 53(09);195-197
Worker Health Chartbook 2004
DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 2004-146 (2004)
Fatal and Nonfatal Injuries, and Selected Illnesses and ConditionsChapter 2: Silicosis
The Chartbook presents data and charts that characterize types of
injuries and illnesses by gender, race, industry, and occupation.
Sections of the 2000 Chartbook were re-packaged in booklets
highlighting fatal and nonfatal illnesses and injuries as well as a
focus on mining.
- Fatal Illness
DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 2002-118
PDF only 1.7 MB (60 pages)
- Nonfatal Illness
DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 2002-120
PDF only 2.8 MB
(68 pages)
- Focus on Mining
DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 2002-121
PDF only 1.4 MB
(44 pages)
Work-Related Lung Disease (eWoRLD) Surveillance System
The Work-Related Lung Disease (eWoRLD) Surveillance System, produced by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), presents up-to-date summary tables, graphs, and figures of occupationally-related respiratory disease surveillance data on the pneumoconioses, occupational asthma and other airways diseases, and several other respiratory conditions. For many of these diseases, selected data on related exposures are also presented.
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