Painting contractors continuing to use silica-containing abrasives, such as sand, may be subject to special scrutiny. Silica dust causes lung damage and a group of diseases collectively known as silicosis. Permanent lung damage and fatalities continue to occur. Acute silicosis is caused by very high exposures to silica dust and is usually fatal within months. Painting contractors should note that abrasive blasting without respiratory protection is a primary cause of acute silicosis.
Chronic silicosis occurs more frequently than acute silicosis and can remain undetected for years.
The human lung s reaction to inhaled silica is complex and not completely understood. Basically, the lungs will enclose the inhaled crystals in a fibrous type of tissue. As each silica crystal is surrounded by tissue, the lung loses that space as functional tissue for breathing. The person inhaling silica will therefore gradually begin to lose lung surface area and the ability to absorb air through the lungs. Adding to the silicosis problem is that upon reaching a certain threshold level, the lung will continue to lose functional area even though exposure to silica ceases.