The higher the exposure to silica dust, the greater the risk of mortality, thus making silica dust one of the greater public health problems. Exposed workers can suffer not only certain cardiovascular diseases, but also pulmonary tuberculosis, silicosis, chronic obstructive disease, some types of neoplasms, autoimmune diseases and kidney disorders. The inhalation of crystalline silica dust constitutes a risk factor for workers’ health. However, not much information is available regarding the concentrations of silica dust generated in these tasks. The use of powerful devices for cutting and grinding artificial stone can cause high levels of exposure to RCS. The content of silica in AS is approximately 90%, which is a much higher percentage than that of granite stones (30%) or natural marble (3%). The manufacture and processing of artificial stone (AS) have been considered as possible sources of occupational exposure to high levels of RCS. This fibrotic condition of the lung is called silicosis. When RCS is inhaled, particles can reach the lower respiratory tract and gas exchange areas (i.e., alveolar spaces) where they interact with lung tissue ultimately developing fibrotic nodules and scarring around the trapped silica particles. The major risk factors for developing silicosis include cumulative lifetime exposure, total amount of inhaled RCS, and individual susceptibility. Silicosis is a progressive, irreversible, and incurable fibrotic lung disease that occurs due to the prolonged inhalation of respirable crystalline silica dust (RCS). The main industries where occupational exposure to crystalline silica dust occurs include construction, mining, quarrying and stone crushing operations, foundries, brick making, concrete, ceramics and glass. According to recent studies, a large number of workers are exposed to this mineral dust throughout the world, with more than 3.2 million workers in Europe and more than 2 million in the United States. Occupational exposure to crystalline silica dust (SiO 2) has become one of the most common and serious hazards for artificial stone workers. Exposure to crystalline silica dust thus can influence the development of silicosis in those cases where individual and collective protection measures are not used or adequately applied. The results of this study provide support for the evidence indicating that silicosis is a major emerging health concern for workers in the artificial stone sector. The workers showing a greater risk of developing silicosis were those who installed kitchen worktops at consumers’ homes, as they did not use face-masks or were not provided with personal protective equipment (PPE) by their business. Among them, 64 were previously diagnosed with silicosis and the rest of the participants (n = 247 workers) were not diagnosed with such a disease. The study population consisted of 311 artificial stone workers from the province of Almeria (southeast of Spain).
A cross-sectional epidemiological study was carried out to assess the occupational risk factors that may contribute to the onset of silicosis in workers carrying out work activities with the inhalation of silica compact dust. Silicosis is a progressive, irreversible, and incurable fibrotic lung disease caused by the inhalation of respirable crystalline silica dust. Occupational exposure to respirable crystalline silica (SiO 2) is one of the most common and serious risks because of the health consequences for the workers involved.