The Invisible Enemy: How Silica Exposure Is Claiming Lives Among Steel Workers

As attention has been riveted on coal miners suffering from black lung disease, it’s important to realize that steel workers are also among those facing similar fates due to silica exposure.

Silica, the most abundant mineral in the earth’s crust, poses a significant health risk when its dust is inhaled during various industrial activities such as chipping, cutting, drilling, or grinding natural materials like soil, granite, slate, sandstone, among others.

Exposure to silica dust poses a significant risk of developing various progressive diseases. Inhalation of these tiny particles over time can lead to scarring and inflammation in the lungs,resulting in the formation of lung nodules, which could indicate the presence of lung cancer.

Moreover, the scarring can progress to the extent of stiffening the lungs, causing difficulty in breathing and ultimately leading to conditions such as pulmonary fibrosis or COPD. Additionally, silica exposure increases susceptibility to bacterial infections, including tuberculosis.