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| Toxic Substances
:: Silica (Silicosis)
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SILICOSIS - Crystalline silica is found in slate, flint, sandstone, coal, other metallic rocks, and even sand. It is one of the most common minerals known to man, second only to quartz. It is also a very deadly mineral that causes silicosis (known also as Potter's rot, or Grinder's disease). Silicosis is a lung disease caused by the dust of grinding, milling, mining, or quarry work involving rocks containing silica. Silica dust is the most common cause of occupational lung damage.
While deaths related to silica have declined greatly due to better technology in developed countries, it is still a great risk in countries that lack high tech methods for creating and discovering the products made from rocks and minerals.
There are several U.S. states that still have a high incidence of silicosis due to a large number of industries involving mining and other work. While the use of respirators, mists, and other dust alleviating methods are now commonly used, it is still impossible to completely eradicate the dangers of silica. Additionally symptoms related to silicosis may not appear for years following extended exposure. In most cases the symptoms will appear over a long period of time and may even seem unrelated to each other at first.
There are three types of silicosis: asymptomatic silicosis, accelerated silicosis, and acute silicosis.
Asymptomatic silicosis typically shows no symptoms and often goes undiagnosed for years. It may remain untreated or develop into the next level of silicosis.
Accelerated silicosis usually begins to show symptoms 5 to 10 years after heavy exposure. The symptoms of accelerated silicosis are difficulty breathing, weight loss, and fatigue or weakness.
Acute silicosis occurs quickly in relation to the other types of the disease. It usually strikes as soon as a few months to 2 years after high exposure to silica. While the symptoms of this form of silicosis mirror that of accelerated silicosis, it is more severe and faster to disable its victims and often leads to death.
If you have a past history working in any industry involving rocks, dust, or mining endeavors and have the symptoms of lung damage, it is very important to consult your physician. You should also seek legal advice to see if your illness has recourses. Because most instances of silicosis are work-related, your employer or former employer may be responsible for your medical and financial difficulties. Your attorney can review your work and medical history to see if your situation warrants legal action. Getting the help of a well-qualified lawyer can help you and your family through the financial hardships caused by a devastating illness.
Fill out the form on this page to get a free evaluation by a law firm that has the expertise and resources to handle these complex and costly to litigate cases.
Keywords: Silicosis | Silicosis Attorney | Silicosis Lawyer | Silicosis Lawsuit | Silica | Silica Dust
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| Silica (Silicosis) In the News |
SA mining health compensation seen as complex, overlapping - Creamer Media's Mining Weekly
SA mining health compensation seen as complex, overlappingCreamer Media's Mining WeeklyCompensation anomalies relating to health issues, such as silicosis and noise-induced hearing loss, are still a cause for concern for the...
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Search for survivors of Depression-era tunnel workers - Atlanta Journal Constitution
Search for survivors of Depression-era tunnel workersAtlanta Journal ConstitutionThe majority succumbed to acute silicosis, a fatal lung disease caused by breathing silica dust. Most made it back home to die, but not all. ...
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Californians Debate Fate of Official State Rock - Voice of America
Californians Debate Fate of Official State RockVoice of America"But if you look at it carefully, you find that granite contains quartz, and quartz when its ground to a fine powder and inhaled, can cause silicosis,"...
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An Irish immigrant dreams in gold - Amador Ledger-Dispatch
Amador Ledger-DispatchAn Irish immigrant dreams in goldAmador Ledger-DispatchThe dust would get lodged in the men's lungs, leading to a disease called silicosis, often known as "miner's lung." By 1891,...
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Hawks Nest: Honor tunnel victims - Charleston Gazette
Hawks Nest: Honor tunnel victimsCharleston GazetteBefore long, diggers wheezed and sickened with silicosis. A company doctor gave them little black pills and blamed excessive partying. ...and more »
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My Word: Rocky stance on serpentine status as state rock - Times-Standard
My Word: Rocky stance on serpentine status as state rockTimes-StandardQuartz (SiO2) is the most common mineral in the Earth's crust and inhalation of silica dust can lead to the disease silicosis. The Occupational Safety...
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LETTERS: The Californian, July 29, 2010 - North County Times
LETTERS: The Californian, July 29, 2010North County Times... and asked him whether he knew of any documentation that people living near quarries have higher incidence of diseases such as silicosis, but he did not. ...
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FORUM: Who are residents to believe? - North County Times
FORUM: Who are residents to believe?North County TimesAdditionally, breathing crystalline silica dust can cause silicosis, which in severe cases can be disabling, or even fatal. The respirable silica dust ...
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Ask Umbra on sustainable choices for cat litter - Grist Magazine
Ask Umbra on sustainable choices for cat litterGrist MagazineAlso, cats with respiratory problems often get more silica dust in their lungs from this type of litter. So take paws and avoid clay-based litter, ...and...
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BUSINESSMAN RUNS FOR CONGRESS TO BRING JOBS TO OUR REGION--& PUT ISSA OUT OF WORK - East County Magazine
BUSINESSMAN RUNS FOR CONGRESS TO BRING JOBS TO OUR REGION--& PUT ISSA OUT OF WORKEast County Magazine“The amount of silica dust it will create will be spread across this whole area, including North San Diego County,” he...
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A water cooler for the public health crowd - ScienceBlogs (blog)
ScienceBlogs (blog)A water cooler for the public health crowdScienceBlogs (blog)... asbestos, beryllium, and silica dust all pose such hazards) and some occupational standards for diesel particulates, there are no...
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Oxford Immunotec: Independent Peer-Reviewed Study Demonstrates That T-SPOT®.TB ... - Business Wire (press release)
Oxford Immunotec: Independent Peer-Reviewed Study Demonstrates That T-SPOT®.TB ...Business Wire (press release)This landmark study overcame these difficulties by examining a unique cohort of silicosis patients, who have an...
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(No heading) - Ashland Daily Tidings
(No heading)Ashland Daily TidingsI am astonished that the city has no ordinance concerning the generation of vast clouds of silica dust within city limits when it appears so particular ...
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Residents fumed after county dumps ashpalt - KVOA Tucson News
Residents fumed after county dumps ashpaltKVOA Tucson News"What you end up with is leaching of these products and what's being found is lead, cadmium, silicon which can create silicosis and all these other PAH's,...
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The 1890s brought a revolution in surfacing granite - Barre Montpelier Times Argus
The 1890s brought a revolution in surfacing graniteBarre Montpelier Times ArgusSince pneumatic surfacers were prodigious generators of airborne granite dust, operators were at high risk for silicosis. Surfacers were often...
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Carolina Forest meets builder: Developer: No mining in works - istockAnalyst.com (press release)
Carolina Forest meets builder: Developer: No mining in worksistockAnalyst.com (press release)Grigg told the community that the project would not produce silica dust like deep mining operations and the first phase including...
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