Part III describes the health hazards associated with crystalline silica exposures. Part IV discusses how to prevent or reduce exposures to crystalline silica. Part V addresses standards that may be cited as part of crystalline silica enforcement. The issue of preventing silicosis and deaths caused by work-related crystalline silica exposure is important to the Company. By initiating a special emphasis program to prevent or reduce crystalline silica exposures in certain industries, the Company has shown an interest in addressing and eliminating the cause of crystalline silica-related respiratory diseases that can lead to death.
Crystalline silica is the basic component of sand, quartz, and granite rock.
This form of silica is obtained from the earth's crust through mining. Crystalline silica can be processed into other materials including silica flour. Silica flour is produced through the milling of crystalline silica into a fine powder.