Breathing In Granite Dust

3 types of silicosis.

Breathing in granite dust.

Though the practice of cutting and finishing granite into countertops appears safe and harmless the truth is the process poses a dangerous hazard in the form of silica dust. William graham a retired university of vermont college of medicine professor and pulmonary health specialist has conducted long term health studies of barre granite workers. Silica dust formally known as crystalline silica dust can be found everywhere in our environment. The settling of dust in the lungs increases with the length of time the breath is held and how deeply the breath is taken.

It has been classified as a human lung carcinogen which can potentially cause silicosis. Dust particles get trapped in the mucus and we cough it up and out. Respirable crystalline silica is a chemical compound present in stone dust soil granite and many other minerals. Symptoms can include fever weight loss and night sweats.

Federal and state authorities have passed laws requiring workers who cut or grind materials such as concrete brick stone or granite to wear respirators or other devices designed to protect them from breathing in these materials. Characteristics of the person inhaling particles can also influence the effects of dust. His research has tracked the ravages of silicosis a deadly lung scarring disease caused by breathing granite dust. Breathing rates and smoking are among the most important.

Posted december 8 2015 by jim orr. Breathing dust containing crystalline silica has also been linked to other diseases such as tuberculosis kidney disease and lung cancer. You ll find it in soil sand dust as well as in quartz and granite. Of course we also usually breathe through our noses which have tin.

Silicosis is a fatal long term lung disease caused by the inhalation of silica dust. As a dnp doctor of nursing practice i knew the health risks associated with this kind of exposure silicosis copd etc and silica is a known carcinogen. Is exposure to airborne concrete stone brick or granite dust hazardous to my health. Healthy lungs constantly make mucus and we constantly clear our airways for precisely this sort of situation.