What is crystalline silica?

Crystalline silica oxide is the scientific name of the chemical compound, Sio _{2 , found in all areas of the Earth and all layers in a geological record. It has been used in many industries for thousands of years and dates back to ancient Egypt. The most common form of crystalline silica is quartz.}

silica should not be confused with silicon, silicon or silicone. Silicon is an element that, together with oxygen, forms silica. Silicon is the second most abundant element on the ground, next to oxygen. Slashing is also formed by a combination of silicon and oxygen, but also includes metal into their chemical makeup. Silicones are polymers, synthetic compounds.

In two forms, silica can be crystalline or amorphous. In order to be crystalline silicon, its molecules must be arranged in a three -dimensional recurring formula. Amorphic silica dioxide does not have a crystalline structure. Opals are a type of non -crystalline silica oxide.

because it is polymorphic, crystalline silica can be found in more than one condition. There are seven polymorphs or forms of SIO _{2 . Four of these types are very rare. The other three - quartz, cristobalite and tridymite - are commonly found.}

Quartz also has two states, alpha and beta. Alpha Quartz is generally natural. When quartz is heated around 1,063.4 ° F (573 ° C), it turns into beta quartz. Manufacturing processes create this change, but the process can also complete lightning or meteors.

soil and sand component, crystalline silica oxide is often used in glass production. When heated, sand containing SIO _{2 solidifies into glass. The first recorded glass production was about 5,000 years ago in Egypt.}

In addition to sand, crystalline silica is found every time of rocks. Igneous rocks have the smallest amount of quartz compared to sedimentary or metamorphic heat. IgneOous rock, made of lava, contains silicon, oxygen and metals, so that silicon is usually formed. If the excess of silicon and oxygen remains after the metal is exhausted, quartz will also be formed. About 12 percent of igneous rocks is Sio ₂

crystalline silica is used in many production industries, as well as in ceramics, glass production and for plastic and rubber fillers. In addition, it is located in concrete, granite, sandstone and other types of stones. Many famous structures, such as the White House in Washington, D.C., contain crystalline silica.

Working with crystalline silica may be dangerous. Dust made of drilling or cutting of quartz is easily inhaled and causes silicose that creates a scar in the lungs and makes the affected person more susceptible to other lung diseases such as tuberculosis. Extreme attention should be paid to working with this material.