pulmonary disorders
Silicosis
Prevention of Silicosis
Primary preventive measures begin with eliminating or reducing exposure. The most effective primary prevention is implementation of engineering controls to limit respirable silica exposure. Respiratory masks provide only limited protection and should be used in conjunction with a comprehensive exposure control program. Secondary prevention through medical surveillance can help identify disease at an early stage. Preventive measures to prevent complications include Smoking Cessation and vaccinations against Due to persistence of silicosis, The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) issued an updated Respirable Silica Standard in 2016. The standard lowers the Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL) and requires pre-employment and periodic medical surveillance of silica-exposed workers. The medical surveillance should include questionnaires, lung function tests, and chest x-rays. 