Active case
Case Overview
Crystalline silica is a common mineral used in construction materials, glass, pottery, ceramics and artificial stone. Workers who inhale silica dust are more likely to develop silicosis, a severe, life-threatening condition that is incurable.
Key takeaways about silica exposure
- Crystalline silica is a common mineral used in making construction materials, glass, pottery, ceramics, artificial stone and other products.
- When inhaled, crystalline silica dust can cause silicosis, lung cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and kidney disease. Crystalline silica is also called quartz dust.
- Around 2.3 million people in the United States are exposed to silica at work. If you have an illness caused by silica dust exposure, you may have a potential claim for compensation. A Motley Rice toxic exposure lawyer can tell you more about your legal rights and options.
What is silica dust?
Crystalline silica is a naturally occurring mineral. Silica dust, or respirable crystalline silica, is made of tiny silica particles that are 100 times smaller than ordinary sand.
Silica dust is created and can become airborne when materials that contain silica are cut, sawed, ground, drilled or crushed.
How bad is exposure to silica dust?
Breathing silica dust, even in small amounts, can cause silicosis.
Workers in certain occupations such as surface fabricators, masons, stone cutters, and sand blasters are at a higher risk of silica inhalation. Because of this, the Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA) has established standards to limit occupational exposure.
Because silica is dangerous, workers can file lawsuits if they become ill from silica dust inhalation. Injured parties may have the right to take legal action against their employer or a product manufacturer. People may file these lawsuits for a failure to warn them about silica dust hazards. They may also file for a failure to implement safety measures to reduce exposure.
Industries at risk of silica dust exposure
Workers who perform the following tasks or work in the following industries have a higher risk of occupational exposure to silica dust:
Industry | Task(s) |
|---|---|
Abrasives | Silicon carbide production |
Artificial stone | Stone countertop fabrication |
Asphalt and roofing felt | Filling and granule application |
Automobile repair | Abrasive blasting |
Boiler scaling | Coal-fired boilers |
Cement | Raw materials processing |
Ceramics (incl. bricks, tiles, sanitary ware, porcelain, pottery refractories, vitreous enamels) | Mixing |
Construction | Abrasive blasting of structures and buildings |
Dentistry | Casting |
Foundries (ferrous and non-ferrous) | Casting |
Glass, including fiberglass | Raw material processing |
Iron and steel mills | Refractory preparation |
Metal products (incl. structural metal, machinery, transportation equipment) | Abrasive blasting |
Mining and related milling operations | Most occupations (underground, surface, mill) |
Oil and gas extraction | Hydraulic fracturing (fracking) |
Surface fabrication (countertops) | Stone countertop fabrication |
Contact a silica exposure attorney
If you or someone you love was exposed to silica dust and has a related health condition, you may qualify for a silica exposure lawsuit. You could recover compensation for your medical expenses, lost wages and more.
For more information about our silica exposure cases or if you would like to discuss a potential claim, please contact silica exposure attorneys Anne McGinness Kearse or Jacob R. Stout by email or call 1.800.768.4026.
Health risks of silica exposure
Silica dust is harmful. Breathing crystalline silica particles can cause several serious health conditions.
Silicosis
Silicosis is an incurable, potentially disabling and possibly fatal lung disease. It occurs when silica dust enters the lungs and causes scar tissue to form. The scar tissue makes it hard to breathe. Silicosis affects alveolar macrophages in the lungs. These alveolar macrophages, also known as dust cells, are part of the immune system that protects respiratory functions.
Common symptoms of silicosis include:
- Coughing that brings up sputum (a mixture of saliva and mucus)
- Fatigue
- Fibrosis (scarring) of the lungs
- Inflammation of the lungs
- Persistent coughing
- Shortness of breath
- Unintended weight loss
- Weakness
If you or someone you love suffers from silicosis caused by occupational exposure to silica, you may be eligible for a silicosis lawsuit.
Frequently asked questions about silica exposure
What is the permissible exposure limit for respirable crystalline silica?
No level of silica exposure is considered safe. Exposure of any level may lead to health effects. OSHA has established a permissible exposure limit (PEL) for respirable crystalline silica.
What are the common symptoms of silica exposure?
Symptoms of silica exposure can vary depending on the health condition and the exposure causes. Some common symptoms include chest pain, cough, fatigue and shortness of breath.
See a doctor immediately if you or someone you love experience symptoms after sustaining occupational exposure to silica dust. A healthcare provider can diagnose your condition and discuss your treatment options.
People exposed to respirable crystalline silica can develop severe, disabling and deadly health conditions. You may qualify for financial compensation if you have experienced exposure and have a related medical problem.
What products contain silica?
Silica is naturally found in the environment in rocks, sand, clay, soil, air and water. Many building materials and products also contain silica, some include:
- Artificial stone
- Brick
- Ceramics
- Cleansers
- Concrete
- Glass
- Mortar
- Pottery
- Skincare products
- Talcum powder
Our toxic exposure experience
For years, Motley Rice has fought for clients harmed by toxic exposure. Our attorneys work tirelessly to protect individuals, families and communities from negligent companies. Our mission is to use the power of the law to create cleaner, safer places to live and work.
Our litigation experience with silica includes a historic class action settlement for thousands of South African gold mine workers. Our law firm has also represented people exposed to:
What is silica dust?
How bad is exposure to silica dust?
Health risks of silica exposure
Frequently asked questions about silica exposure
Our toxic exposure experience
About the Author
Jacob R. Stout
Associate
Jake Stout utilizes the civil justice system to hold negligent corporations accountable for preventable injuries and diseases suffered by workers and their families.
- Sources
- Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry. Silica - ToxFAQs.™
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH). Silica and Worker Health.
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH). Symptoms and Medical Monitoring.
- Cleveland Clinic. Silicosis.
- Fakoya AO, Naeem A, Pierre L. Histology, Alveolar Macrophages. StatPearls Publishing. [Updated 2024 Nov 10].
- Lanzafame, M., & Vento, S. Mini-review: Silico-tuberculosis. Journal of Clinical Tuberculosis and Other Mycobacterial Diseases. 2021;23:100218.
- Lupus Foundation of America. Understanding lupus environmental triggers.
- Mayo Clinic. Chronic kidney disease.
- Mayo Clinic. COPD.
- Mayo Clinic. Lung Cancer.
- Mayo Clinic. Lupus.
- Mayo Clinic. Rheumatoid arthritis.
- Mayo Clinic. Scleroderma.
- Mayo Clinic. Tuberculosis.
- Mine Safety and Health Administration. Respirable Crystalline Silica.
- Muntyanu, A., Milan, R., Rahme, E., LaChance, A., Ouchene, L., Cormier, M., Litvinov, I. V., Hudson, M., Baron, M., Netchiporouk, E., Research Group, C. S., Baron, M., Hudson, M., Gyger, G., Pope, J., Larche, M., Khalidi, N., Masetto, A., Sutton, E., . . . Fritzler, M. J. Exposure to silica and systemic sclerosis: A retrospective cohort study based on the Canadian Scleroderma Research Group. Frontiers in Medicine. 2022 Sept 28:9:984907.
- National Cancer Institute. Crystalline Silica.
- Occupational Safety and Health Administration. OSHA’s Respirable Crystalline Silica Standard for Construction.
- Occupational Safety and Health Administration. Silica, Crystalline. Health Effects.
- Occupational Safety and Health Administration. Silica, Crystalline. Overview.
- Rogers, K. L., Roncal-Jimenez, C.A., Leiva, R., et al. Silica Nanoparticles and Mesoamerican Nephropathy: A Case Series. American Journal of Kidney Diseases. 2024 March. 83(3):420 - 423.
- U.S. Department of Labor. Department of Labor issues final rule reducing silica dust exposure, better protecting miners’ health from irreversible workplace illnesses.
- Wrangel, O., Graff, P., Bryngelsson, L., Fornander, L., Wiebert, P., & Vihlborg, P. Silica Dust Exposure Increases Risk for Rheumatoid Arthritis: A Swedish National Registry Case–Control Study. Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine. 2021 June 4;63(11):951.