Health Issues

Silicosis - the lung disease caused by silica dust

Silicosis is an interstitial lung disease caused by breathing in tiny bits of silica, a common mineral found in many types of rock and soil. Over time, exposure to silica particles causes permanent lung scarring, called pulmonary fibrosis.

Silicosis is permanent lung damage caused by breathing dust containing extremely fine particles of crystalline silica. Crystalline silica is found in materials such as concrete, masonry and rock.

Silicosis can be totally disabling and may lead to death.

SYMPTOMS OF SILICOSIS: Initially there may be no symptoms.

Iowa State University Study

https://cptechcenter.org/concrete-recycling/

1. Introduction to Concrete Pavement Recycling (Snyder & Cavalline–Slides–2016)

2. Environmental Considerations in Concrete Pavement Recycling (Cavalline–Slides–2017)

3. Construction Considerations in Concrete Pavement Recycling (Fick–Slides–2017)

4. Case Studies in Concrete Pavement Recycling (Snyder–Slides—2017)

Concrete Pavement Recycling Series: Protecting Water Quality through Planning and Design Considerations (PDF)

Concrete Pavement Recycling Series: Protecting the Environment during Construction (PDF)

Rice Institute

It’s hard to breathe with a concrete plant in your backyard

https://kinder.rice.edu/urbanedge/2020/08/19/houston-air-pollution-breathe-concrete-plants-TCEQ

• AUG 19, 2020 GOVERNANCE, HEALTH, HOUSING, URBAN DISPARITY, URBAN PLANNING

Controlling dust at crushing and demolition sites does more than prevent nuisance complaints—it also protects against severe lung diseases.

https://www.cdrecycler.com/article/july-aug-2011-more-than-a-nuisance/

"On its website at www.osha.gov, the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) paints a bleak picture of the potential effects of silicosis.

The agency says silicosis “is caused by exposure to respirable crystalline silica dust” and that “silica is a basic component of soil, sand, granite and most other types of rock and it is used as an abrasive blasting agent.”

Another way silica can be present in concrete is when silica fume is added to paving mixtures. Silica fume (also known as micro-silica) “is a byproduct of the reduction of high-purity quartz with coal in electric furnaces in the production of silicon and ferrosilicon alloys,” according to the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA).

Starting in the late 1970s, silica fume as a pavement additive was promoted as an alternative to discharging it into the atmosphere or landfilling it. "/www.cdrecycler.com/article/july-aug-2011-more-than-a-nuisance/https://www.cdrecycler.com/article/july-aug-2011-more-than-a-nuisance/