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Occupationally-related disease

Pneumoconiosis - "Black Lung"

Many dusts can cause pneumoconiosis. Pneumoconiosis is a general term given to any lung disease caused by dusts that are breathed in and then goes deep in the lungs causing damage. Pneumoconiosis is usually considered an occupational lung disease, and includes asbestosis, silicosis and coal workers' pneumoconiosis (CWP), also known as "Black Lung Disease." This disease is called black lung disease because the charcoal dust in the lungs can turn them black in color. The most known dusts that cause this disease are:

Asbestos fibers are very durable and resistant to heat, leading to their use in insulation and fireproofing, as well as in textile manufacturing. Examples of workers who might be exposed to asbestos include:
  • plumbers
  • roofers
  • mechanics
  • shipyard workers, including naval officers. 

People are at higher risk of developing asbestosis if they have higher levels of exposure to asbestos dust over longer periods of time. The disease takes about 10 to 20 years to develop after first exposure.

Crystalline silica: Main component of dust from sand and rock. Examples of workers who might be exposed to silica include:
  • miners
  • sandblasters
  • stonemasons
  • foundry workers

Risk factors for developing silicosis include higher levels of silica exposure and longer time of exposure.

Coal dust is made of carbon-containing particles. Coal miners are at risk of inhaling this dust. Coal miners may also be exposed to silica-containing dust because coal mining may involve some drilling into silica-containing rock. 

Symptoms: Individuals with pneumoconiosis may have no symptoms at all, particularly early in the disease. When symptoms do appear, they can include cough, with or without mucous production, or chest tightness. Many individuals complain of shortness of breath. 

To protect workers exposed to respirable crystalline silica, OSHA has issued two respirable crystalline silica standards: one for construction, and the other for general industry and maritime. In 2016, OSHA finalized the rule for improving workers protection in regards to silica dust. The final rule protect workers by:
  • Reducing the permissible exposure limit for crystalline silica to 50 micrograms per cubic meter of air, averaged over an eight-hour shift.
  • Requiring employers to use engineering controls (such as water or ventilation) and work practices to limit worker exposure; provide respiratory protection when controls are not able to limit exposures to the permissible level; limit access to high exposure areas; train workers; and provide medical exams to highly exposed workers.
  • Providing greater certainty and ease of compliance to construction employers - including many small employers - by including a table of specified controls they can follow to be in compliance, without having to monitor exposures.
  • Staggering compliance dates to ensure employers have sufficient time to meet the requirements, e.g., extra time for the hydraulic fracturing (fracking) industry to install new engineering controls and for all general industry employers to offer medical surveillance to employees exposed between the PEL and 50 micrograms per cubic meter and the action level of 25 micrograms per cubic meter.
Short blurb: End Black Lung Now & Forever

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