Silica Exposure

Silicosis is a serious lung disease caused by breathing dust containing fine particles of crystalline silica, which is found in materials such as concrete, masonry, and rock. Breathing in these particles damages the lungs and produces scar tissue formations that make it harder to extract oxygen from the air. Silicosis eventually leads to heart failure as the heart struggles to compensate for the inability to bring in oxygen. It also increases the risk of other diseases such as tuberculosis, autoimmune diseases, and lung cancer among both smokers and non-smokers. Acute silicosis may develop after short periods of extreme exposure, and chronic silicosis usually occurs after 10 or more years of exposure to lower levels of dust.

According to OSHA, silicosis is 100% preventable with protective equipment. However, workers in high-risk areas don't always have access to the equipment or simple safety practices that prevent silica from entering the lungs.

If you are involved in any of these jobs, you have probably been exposed to silica dust:

• Abrasive blasting using silica sand as the abrasive
• Abrasive blasting of concrete
• Chipping, hammering, or drilling rock
• Crushing, loading, hauling, or dumping rock
• Chipping, hammering, drilling, sawing, or grinding concrete or masonry
• Demolition of concrete or masonry structures
• Dry sweeping or pressurized air blowing of concrete or sand dust
• Sandblasting to remove paint or rust from buildings, bridges, ship hulls, and other structures
• Jackhammering
• Concrete mixing or drilling
• Brick or concrete block cutting or sawing
• Foundry work (mold shake-outs or knockouts, sand screening, sand recovery, conveying, grinding, etc.)
• Tunneling operations
• Repair or replacement of rotary kiln or cupola furnace linings
• Setting, laying, or repairing railroad track
• Stone, clay, brick, or glass production
• Paint, plastic, soap, or detergent manufacturing

If you have developed silicosis from working without adequate protective equipment, you may have the right to sue for compensation. The Carnes Law Firm handles legal claims on behalf of individuals with silicosis. Please contact us online or call our office at 314-353-1001 to set up a free, confidential consultation about your legal rights and options.