Appendix A
Background: Crystalline Silica and Silicosis
Crystalline silica is a ubiquitous substance which is the basic component of sand, quartz
and granite rock.(9) Airborne crystalline silica occurs commonly in both the work and non-work
environments. Occupational exposure to crystalline silica dust has long been known to
produce silicosis, a pneumoconiosis or dust disease of the lung. Activities such as
sandblasting, rock drilling, roof bolting, foundry work, stonecutting, drilling, quarrying,
brick/block/concrete cutting, gunite operations, lead-based paint encapsulant applications, and
tunneling through the earth's crust can create an airborne silica exposure hazard. In addition
some recently noted exposures to crystalline silica include the following:
- Calcined diatomaceous earth can contain anywhere from <1% to 75% cristobalite. In
addition to use as a filtering media, calcined diatomaceous earth is often used in industries such
as food and beverage preparation where only food grade products and equipment can come in
contact with foods or beverages being made.
- Asphalt paving manufacturing may also be a source of crystalline silica exposure, due to the
mechanical formation of crystalline silica dust when sand and aggregate passes through rotary
dryers. The fine dust can have significant amounts of crystalline silica, depending upon the
source of the aggregate. For example, rotary drying of gravel from the Willamette river in
Oregon was found to generate dust containing approximately 7 to 12% quartz. The waste dust
was transferred periodically by front loader, resulting in clouds of visible dust drifting to the
operator.
- The repair or replacement of linings of rotary kilns found in pulp and paper mills and in
other
manufacturing locations as well as the linings in cupola furnaces are potential sources of
crystalline silica exposure. This work may not be commonly seen due to the infrequency and
less visible nature of the work location. Turnarounds and yearly shutdowns are the time when
this work commonly occurs.
- In food processing operations where crops such as potatoes and beans are readied for
market, silica overexposures have been documented in the sorting, grading and washing areas.
Geologically, quartz is the second most common mineral in the earth's crust. Quartz is
readily found in both sedimentary and igneous rocks. Quartz content can vary greatly among
different rock types, for example: granite can contain anywhere from 10 to 40 percent quartz;
shales have been found to average approximately 22 percent quartz; and sandstones can
average almost 70 percent quartz. Silica is a general term for the compound silicon dioxide
(SiO2). Silica can be crystalline or amorphous. Different crystalline silica structures exist as
polymorphs of silica and include quartz and less common forms such as cristobalite and
tridymite. The latter two are less stable than quartz which accounts for the dominance of the
quartz form. Quartz can exist as two sub-polymorphs, à-quartz or low quartz, and -quartz or
high quartz. Of these two forms, à-quartz is more common as the -quartz is apparently only
stable at temperatures above approximately 570 degrees centigrade. Upon cooling, -quartz
quickly converts to à-quartz. In the literature, crystalline silica is commonly referred to as
silica sand, free-silica, quartz, cristobalite, and tripoli. When diatomaceous earth is subjected
to pressure or is processed (calcined) at temperatures above 1000 degrees C some of the
amorphous silica is converted to crystalline silica in the form of cristobalite.(11) Recent articles
have documented the creation of cristobalite in "after-service" refractive ceramic fiber
insulation.(12-14) Amorphous silica has been found to exist in nature as opal, flint, siliceous
glass, diatomaceous earth and vitreous silica.15
Silicosis is one of the world's oldest known occupational diseases with reports dating
back to ancient Greece. Since the 1800's, the silicotic health problems associated with
crystalline silica dust exposure have been referred to under a variety of common names
including: consumption, ganister disease, grinders' asthma, grinders' dust consumption,
grinders' rot, grit consumption, masons' disease, miner's asthma, miner's phthisis, potters'
rot, sewer disease, stonemason's disease, chalicosis, and shistosis. Silicosis was considered
the most serious occupational hazard during the 1930's, and was the focus of major federal,
state, and professional attention during this time.(10) The hazard is still present 60+ years
later.
Crystalline silica is commonly found and used in the following industries:
- electronics industry
- foundry industries
- ceramics, clay and pottery, stone, and glass industries
- construction
- agriculture
- maritime
- railroad industry (setting and laying track)
- slate and flint quarrying and flint crushing
- use and manufacture of abrasives
- manufacture of soaps and detergents
- mining industries.
Perhaps the most familiar use of quartz sand is as an abrasive blasting agent to remove
surface coatings prior to repainting or treating. A recent alert published by the National
Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) estimates that there are more than one
million American workers that are at risk of developing silicosis. Of these workers, NIOSH
further estimates that more than 100,000 are employed as sandblasters.16
In the United States, from 1968 through 1990 the total number of deaths where silicosis
was reported anywhere on the death certificate was 13,744. Of these, approximately 6,322
listed silicosis as the underlying cause of the death.(17) In this study, deaths in the United States
due to silicosis was primarily concentrated in 12 states (California, Colorado, Florida, Illinois,
Michigan, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia, West Virginia, and
Wisconsin.) The silica-related deaths in these 12 states accounted for 68% of the total silica
related deaths in the United States. By industry, construction accounted for 10% of the total
silicosis-related deaths.17
Based upon the wide spread occurrence and use of crystalline silica across the major
industrial groups (maritime, agriculture, construction, and general industry), and in
consideration of the number of silicosis related deaths, the NIOSH estimates for the number of
exposed workers, and the health effects of crystalline silica dust exposure (e.g., pulmonary
fibrosis, lung and stomach cancer), the Agency is implementing a nationwide special emphasis
program to assure worker protection from over exposure to crystalline silica dust.
Health Effects of Silica Exposure
Inhalation of crystalline silica-containing dusts has been associated with silicosis, chronic
obstructive pulmonary disease, bronchitis, collagen vascular diseases, chronic granulomatous
infections such as tuberculosis, and lung cancer. In general, aerosols of particulates can be
deposited in the lungs. This can produce rapid or slow local tissue damage, eventual disease
or physical plugging. Dust containing crystalline silica can cause formation of fibrosis (scar
tissue) in the lungs.9
The inhalation of free crystalline silicon dioxide (SiO2) can produce a fibrotic
lung disease known as silicosis. Particle size, dust concentration and duration of dust
exposure are important factors in determining the attack rate, latency period, incidence, rate of
progression and outcome of disease. A higher attack rate and severity of silicosis is seen with
heating crystalline silica-containing materials to greater than 800o C to transform
SiO2 into tridymite and cristobalite (both of which occur naturally and are also
found
in synthetic silica preparations). High cristobalite concentration also result from direct
conversion of diatomaceous earth following heat and/or pressure and can be found in the
superficial layers of refractory brick which have been repeatedly subjected to contact with
molten metal.9
NIOSH has classified three types of silicosis, these include acute, accelerated, and
chronic.
Acute Health Effects:
Intense crystalline silica exposure has resulted in
outbreaks of acute silicosis referred to medically as silico-proteinosis or alveolar
lipoproteinosis-like silicosis. Initially, crystalline silica particles produce an alveolitis
(inflammation in the gas exchange area of the lung) which is characterized by sustained
increases in the total number of alveolar cells, including macrophages, lymphocytes and
neutrophils. The alveolitis has been found to progress to the characteristic nodular fibrosis of
simple silicosis.
A rapid increase in the rate of synthesis and deposition of lung collagen has also been
seen with the inhalation of crystalline silica particles. The collagen formed is unique to
silica-induced lung disease and biochemically different from normal lung
collagen.18
Accelerated Health Effects:
Accelerated silicosis may occur with more intense
exposure over 5 to 15 years. Fibrotic nodules are generally smaller and the massive fibrosis
often occurs in the mid-zones in the lungs.
Acute and accelerated silicosis have been associated with abrasive blasters.
Chronic Health Effects:
Chronic silicosis usually takes 20 to 45 years to develop
as a result of prolonged exposure to free crystalline silica. Nodular lesions tend to form in the
upper lobes. In the simple stage of silicosis, symptoms and impairment of pulmonary function
are uncommon. If progressive massive fibrosis (PMF) forms from the coalescence of fibrotic
nodules the disease usually progresses, even following removal from exposure. Symptoms of
silicosis may not develop for many years. Shortness of breath with exertion is the most
common symptom of established silicosis. Cough and expectoration may develop with disease
progression, especially in cigarette smokers. Wheezing typically only occurs when conditions
such as chronic obstructive bronchitis or asthma are also present. Significant abnormality on a
chest x-ray may not be seen until 15 to 20 years of exposure have occurred.
When advanced disease and progressive massive fibrosis are present there is distortion
of the normal architecture of the lung. Airway obstruction may occur from contraction of the
upper lobes of the lung. Emphysematous changes may develop in the lower lobes of the
lung.19
Cancer:
The issue of crystalline silica exposure and cancer is a complicated one
with disagreement in the literature.20 In worst case, exposure to respirable
crystalline silica dust has been associated with lung cancer.20-26 There also has
been
the suggestion of stomach cancer associated with ingestion of crystalline silica.7
The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) in examining the carcinogenesis of
crystalline silica has published monographs regarding crystalline silica and some silicates.
IARC determined that there is sufficient evidence for carcinogenicity in experimental animals
with limited evidence for carcinogenicity in humans and has classified silica as a 2B
carcinogen.21 IARC is in the prcess of revisiting the crystalline silica carcinogen
issue based upon recent epidemiological studies.
Studies have demonstrated a statistically significant, dose-related increase in lung
cancer in several occupationally exposed groups. Winter (1990) observed that the lung cancer
risk for pottery workers increased with estimated cumulative exposure to low levels of silica
found in potteries. Another study also found that the risk of lung cancer among pottery
workers was related to exposure to silica, although the dose-response gradient was not
significant (McLaughlin, et al., 1992). An adjustment for possibly confounding exposure to
polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons slightly raised the odds ratios for exposure to silica. This
study also analyzed lung cancer risk in tin miners in China and found a significant trend of
increasing risk of lung cancer with increasing cumulative respirable silica exposure. A
significant dose-response relationship between death from lung cancer and silica dust
particle-years has also been demonstrated for South African gold miners (Hnizdo and
Sluis-Cremer,
1991). In this study a synergistic effect on lung cancer risk was found for silica exposure and
smoking. Lung cancer risk among workers in the diatomaceous earth industry has been
studied by Checkoway, et al. (1993). Results showed increasing risk gradients for lung cancer
with cumulative exposure to crystalline silica. The authors felt that this finding indicated a
causal relation. Several studies have demonstrated a relationship between the degree of
silicosis disability and risk for lung cancer (Goldsmith, 1994). Since severity of silicosis
reflects silica exposure, this may also indicate a dose-response relationship for silica exposure
and lung cancer (Checkoway, 1993).
For additional information please refer to references No. 22-26.
Note:
Due to the potential association between exposure to dust containing
crystalline silica and the development of lung and stomach cancer, one may find facilities
where the employer is evaluating or has evaluated this exposure using thoracic samplers.
Thoracic dust is defined as that portion of inhaled dust that penetrates the larynx and is
available for deposition within the airways of the thorax. Thoracic dust includes the
respirable fraction. The collection of thoracic dust samples currently is not a method used
by the Agency. Area Offices need to be aware that thoracic sampling devices are
currently available and one may run across the use of these samplers during inspections.
For more information one can consult with the OSHA Salt Lake Technical Center
(SLTC) or the Office of Health Compliance Assistance.
Appendix B
SIC Codes where overexposures to crystalline silica dust have been
documented22
| SIC CODE | Industry Type |
| 0723 | Crop preparation services for market |
| 1542 | Nonresidential construction |
| 1622 | Bridge, tunnel, and elevated highway
construction |
| 1629 | Heavy construction |
| 1721 | Painting and paper hanging |
| 1741 | Masonry and other stone work |
| 1799 | Special trades contractors |
| 3255 | Clay refractories |
| 3321-2 | Foundries |
| 3325 | Foundries |
| 3365 | Foundries |
| 3441 | Fabricated structural metal |
| 3443 | Fabricated plate work |
| 3479 | Metal coating and engraving and allied services |
| 3543 | Industrial patterns |
| 3731 | Shipbuilding and repair |
SIC Codes where sampling has been conducted for crystalline silica dust during the
previous three years and overexposures were not found.
| SIC CODE | Industry Type |
| 1389 | Oil and gas field services not elsewhere classified |
| 1611 | Highway and street construction |
| 1771 | Concrete work |
| 1793 | Glass and glazing work |
| 1794 | Excavation work |
| 1795 | Wrecking and demolition |
| 2851 | Paints, varnishes, lacquers, enamels, and allied products |
| 2951 | Asphalt paving mixtures and blocks |
| 3088 | Plastics plumbing fixtures |
| 3089 | Plastics products not elsewhere classified |
| 3251 | Brick and structural clay and tile |
| 3281 | Cut stone and stone products |
| 3264 | Porcelain electrical supplies |
| 3272 | Concrete products except brick and block |
| 3297 | Nonclay refractories |
| 3324 | Steel investment foundries |
| 3363 | Aluminum die castings |
| 3364 | Non-ferrous die castings |
| 3366 | Copper foundries |
| 3369 | Nonferrous foundries |
| 3431 | Enameled iron and metal sanitary ware |
| 3444 | Sheet meatal works |
| 3492 | Fluid power valves and hose fittings |
| 3498 | Fabricated pipe and pipe fittings |
| 3523 | Farm machinery and equipment |
| 3533 | Oil and gas field machinery and equipment |
| 3561 | Pumps and pumping equipment |
| 3569 | General industrial machinery and equipment |
| 3599 | Industrial and commercial machinery and equipment not elsewhere
classified |
| 3648 | Lighting equipment, not elsewhere classified |
| 3715 | Truck trailers |
| 3823 | Industrial instruments for measurement |
| 4789 | Transportation services |
| 5199 | Nondurable goods |
| 7261 | Funeral services and crematories |
| 7363 | Help supply services |
| 7538-9 | General automobile repair shops |
| 7699 | Repair shops and related services |
Appendix C
Medical protocol recommendations for exposure to crystalline silica28-48:
- MEDICAL EXAMINATIONS
The following are the recommended medical procedures for individuals chronically exposed to
crystalline silica or for individuals who have received one or more severe acute exposures to
crystalline silica.
- A baseline examination which includes a medical and occupational history to elicit data
on signs and symptoms of respiratory disease prior to exposure to crystalline silica. The
medical examination emphasizing the respiratory system, should be repeated every five
(5) years if under 20 years of exposure and every two (2) years if over 20 years of
exposure. The medical examination should be repeated more frequently if respiratory
symptoms develop or upon the recommendation of the examining physician.
- A baseline chest x-ray should be obtained prior to employment with a follow-up every 5
years if under 20 years of exposure and every 2 years if over 20 years of exposure. A
chest x-ray may be required more frequently if determined by the examining physician.
- Pulmonary Function Tests (PFT): Should include FEV1 (forced expiratory volume in 1
second), FVC (forced vital capacity) and DLCO (diffusion lung capacity). PFTs should
be obtained for a baseline examination with PFTs repeated every 5 years if under 20 years
of exposure and every 2 years if over 20 years of exposure. PFTs may be required more
frequently is respirable symptoms develop or if recommended by the examining
physician.
- A chest x-ray should be obtained on employment termination.
- MEDICAL MANAGEMENT
The chest x-ray should be a chest roentgenogram (posteroanterior 14" x 17" or 14" x 14")
classified according to the 1970 ILO International Classification of radiographs of
Pneumoconiosis by a certified class "B" reader. The medical follow-up should include the
following procedures:
- With a positive chest x-ray (1/0 or greater) the worker should be placed in mandatory
respiratory protection, or if already wearing a respirator, the program should be
reevaluated to assure proper fit and that the elements of 29 CFR 1910.134 are being met.
- The worker should be referred to a physician specializing in lung diseases for a medical
evaluation and medical monitoring as warranted by the examining physician. A written
opinion from the examining physician as to whether the employee has any detected
condition that would place the worker at an increased risk should be provided to the
employer and employee, while specific medical findings remain confidential.
- All medical test results should be discussed with the worker by the physician.
- In accordance with 29 CFR 1910.20, medical records shall be maintained for at least 30
years following the employee's termination of employment, unless the employee is
employed for less than one year and the records are provided to the employee upon
termination.
Appendix D
The following list of standards includes those standards, that may, under appropriate inspection
conditions be cited for crystalline silica overexposure under this SEP. The standards listed below
are for general industry, maritime, and construction standards.