The study did not address what role alcohol consumption might have played in the collisions. Car crashes are the leading cause of death among American teenagers. The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health warns that workers whose jobs involve tuck-pointing are at risk for silicosis, a deadly lung disease, if they don't take safety precautions while they work. In the first step of tuck-pointing, a worker grinds the mortar out from between the bricks. The dust created by the grinding contains crystalline silica.
Silicosis develops when a person breathes in too much respirable crystalline silica.
Although the disease may take 10 or more years to appear, workers who are exposed to very high levels may experience symptoms after only a few weeks to four or five years. Do not use the grinder near another worker. Restrict work areas to cut down exposure to other workers. While you work, stand so that the dusty air will not blow on you or other workers. Do not use compressed air to clean off yourself, your clothes or your equipment.