What is silicosis?
Silicosis is a lung disease resulting from lengthy and repeated exposure of air crystallized silica. Both doctors and those who work in mines, quarries and founders have long recognized silicose. His current name is attributed to Visconti and comes from the Latin term Silex . Since silica is approximately 12% of the Earth's crust, it is likely that any occupation that includes sand or rock work is likely to include exposure to this mineral.
repeated exposure to silica or crystallized silica oxide causes fine dust levels in the lungs. Since more dust is stored, the lungs react in several ways. They become inflamed, create lesions, and then create knots and fibroids. For many years, there are often no perceptible symptoms, so silicosis is often difficult to diagnose on your onset. Disabilities may experience shortness breath, fever, chest pain, exhaustionAnd a dry cough. More advanced forms of disease will show cyanotic mucus and asthma or other respiratory problems, similar to advanced emptying.
The disease can also leave the lungs more vulnerable to tuberculosis and has also been associated with the development of autoimmune disorders such as lupus and rheumatoid arthritis. Because silicosis affects the lungs, the blood vessels lead to heart can also affect, so that heart disease and enlargement are common. In the 90s, silica was classified as a well -known carcinogen and as such is now the exposure of silica oxide associated with the development of lung cancer.
Compute Tomography (CT) Scanning and X -rays recognize lesions and nodes associated with silicosis. The diagnosis is also supported by examining the symptoms of those who may be exposed to silicon oxide. OSHA recommends the examiner all patient collaborators with this disease, because even the most benign contact to silicate oxideOver time, dust can lead to its development. For example, the supervisor of a drilling operation, which does not actually push materials, can still be endangered if it is in the workplace.
There is no silicosis cure. It is an irreversible condition that can only be solved by the treatment of symptoms. Such treatment may include cough syrups, bronchodilators (asthma medicines), antibiotics and anti-tubercular drugs. In advanced cases, oxygen is required to solve cyanosis and deprivation of oxygen. In addition, these disabilities are recommended to avoid exposure to smoking, any other silica and other irritants of the lungs.
Since no proven treatment of silicosis has been identified, the emphasis has moved to prevention. In well -developed countries, workers who are exposed to silica oxide use special respirators to prevent dust into the lungs. Special filter develop drilling and dry mining is rare. Everything that can reduce dust content of oxideIt is used to ensure the safety of working conditions in the air, especially the use of water.
most of the preventive measures have developed due to obligations for employers and risk for workers. These are lawsuits for the exhibitions of silica. When the West first began to industrialized, contraction silicosis was almost certain if it was used as a miner or bricklayer.
In 1930, at least 200 workers after three months of daily exposure to a huge amount of silica oxide during the construction of the Hawk nest in West Virginia. This tragedy paid national attention and influenced employers to find safer methods of working on Earth. Currently, it leads to awareness and government regulations to less new cases of silicosis. Unfortunately, many newly industrial countries scored at the expense of prevention at the expense of their workers. Thzemě ESE is expected to increase the contraction of silicosis will develop instructions that protect their workers.