Cancer risk heightened by exposure to silica dust

Source: safetysolutions.net.au --- Monday, October 16, 2017
Tradies need to be more aware of cancer risks stemming from silica dust exposure, according to Cancer Council Australia . Estimates suggest that over 230 lung cancer cases in Australia each year are caused by exposure to silica dust in the workplace. It is also estimated that around 600,000 Australian workers each year are exposed to silica dust at work, including miners, construction workers, farmers, engineers, bricklayers and road construction workers, as well as those working in demolition. “Silica is surprisingly common — it’s found in stone, rock, sand, gravel and clay, as well as bricks, tiles, concrete and some plastic materials,” said Terry Slevin, chair, Occupational and Environmental Cancer Risk Committee Cancer Council Australia. “When these materials are worked on or cut, silica is released as a fine dust that’s 100 times smaller than a grain of sand. It’s so small you can’t see it — but if you breathe it in, in some cases it can lead to lung cancer.” Workers often cut granite kitchen benchtops, tiles or bricks, or demolish materials without proper protection in place. Cancer cases in these types of situation can easily be prevented through dust prevention or control, adequate ventilation or personal respiratory protection. “Of around 11,000 new cases of lung cancer diagnosed each year in Australia over 8000 are due to smoking, 230 due to silica dust and 130 due to diesel exhaust. These are preventable, and given th ...

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