SILICA IN THE WORKPLACE
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How Can I Determine Whether Crystalline Silica is Present in my Workplace?
The best source of information about products that are used in the workplace is the safety data sheet (SDS).
These should be obtained from the manufacturer or supplier for all hazardous products that are used in the
workplace. The SDS must provide information about the form of silica. The process conditions to which
products containing amorphous silica are subjected should be studied carefully to determine whether the
temperature is sufficiently high to produce the conversion to crystalline forms of silica.
Mineral compositions are extremely important in the extractive industries because crystalline silica
often occurs in appreciable quantities in unprocessed rock. This also applies in the mining and handling
of rock.
Is all Dust Containing Crystalline Silica Potentially Harmful?
The answer to this question is no. The body possesses an efficient filtration system, which tends to
capture and remove particles of varying sizes. Large particles are removed primarily in the nose and
throat. Intermediate particles are removed from the air in the upper airways. Small particles are removed
in the area of the lung in which the exchange of gases occurs. Some particles breathed into the lung
remain suspended in air.
Particles, known as the respirable fraction, are the cause of silica-related diseases. These are so small
that individually they cannot be seen and are capable of penetrating to the area of the lung in which gas
exchange occurs.
Who is Likely to be Exposed?
Crystalline silica, amorphous silica and products containing them are used widely in industry. Exposure
may also occur during extraction of materials obtained from the earth's crust. Silica is a component of
most rock.
Table 1 presents a summary of the major uses of products likely to cause exposure to respirable
crystalline silica. Sources of exposure within the extractive industries are also included.
