Silica

The most abundant rock-forming compound on earth is silicon dioxide, a mineral substance common in sand, rocks, and quartz, but also in many workplaces, where it is best known as Silica. Silica is found in diverse natural deposits, in a granular form silicon dioxide is the main ingredient of glass. However, inhaling Silica dust leads to cancer or silicosis, a disabling and irreversible lung condition.

People who worked in the glass and concrete industries have been injured by Silica. In the United States it is estimated that about 1.7 million workers in the construction industry have been exposed to this dangerous mineral at their workplaces, for long periods of time. Silica is one of the majors ingredients of Portland cement and central component in most glass optical fibers.

However, the number of people injured by Silica can be significantly higher, since Silica is also used for manufacturing inexpensive soda-lime glass and diverse glass products, the mineral is also found in clay and used with alumina for stoneware, earthenware, and porcelain ceramic processes. Silica is also used in medicine as a food additive either as flow agent in powdered foods, or for water absorption.

In construction, people exposed to sand, concrete, cement, brick, stones and steel industries, are more likely exposed to Silica, having higher chances of developing silicosis, if not cancer. In Texas, it was necessary for an Asbestos and Silica Lawsuit Reform legislation to protect victims and businesses.

Signs and symptoms of potential development often include fever, chronic cough, shortness of breath and bluish skin on lips or ear lobes. Once the silicosis has been detected, problems evolve to weigh loss, increased fatigue, chest pain, serious shortness of breath, and potential fatal respiratory failure.

Most lawyers recommend an evaluation before proceeding to file an class action lawsuit, since there a three types of silicosis and based on its severity, victims can claim different compensations. The most simple form is acute silicosis, condition that usually occurs after a few weeks of exposure to Silica, or within the first 5 years.

Other stages of the injury comes over time, and harm to victims' health is considerable. Accelerated silicosis occurs after 5 to 0 years exposure, while chronic silicosis generally occurs after 10 or more years of continuous exposure to silica. The problem is aggravated because their is no definite cure for silicosis and the condition cannot be effectively treated either, often degenerating in cancer.

Current lawsuits have exposed that at least 250 Americans have died of silicosis each year. Actually, the disease is treated with steroids, oxygen, inflammation medications and pain relievers, but all of them only mitigate the symptoms, since there is no cure for silicosis. In many cases, victims have needed a lung transplant to survive.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) advices to follow all the guidelines for safety when working at industries where Silica is involved, to avoid suffering any injury from exposure. Otherwise, people who have been injured must get their case evaluated to recover damages by filing a class action lawsuit.