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Which jobs expose workers to silica dust and raise the risk of silicosis?
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occupational disease
The lung disease asbestosis is caused primarily by prolonged inhalation of asbestos fibers. It occurs mainly among workers whose occupations involve exposure to asbestos and people who live near mines, factories, and construction sites.
Silicosis is a chronic occupational disease caused by the long-term inhalation of silica dust, which leads to lung fibrosis. Because there is no cure for this condition, it is a fundamental ethical imperative for employers to prioritize worker safety through rigorous prevention, including the use of protective face masks, proper ventilation, and regular medical monitoring.12
Occupations that involve exposure to silica dust and carry a risk of silicosis include:
- Mining and Quarrying: Workers involved in rock drilling and extraction.12
- Construction and Infrastructure: Tunnelers and those performing stonecutting.1
- Manufacturing and Finishing: Workers engaged in grinding, polishing, buffing, and sandblasting.12
- Specialized Trades: Dental technicians who work with silica-based powders and historical roles such as potters and knife grinders.12
Sandblasting without adequate respiratory protection is considered particularly dangerous and can lead to fatal cases of acute silicosis.2