OCCUPATIONAL EXPOSURE OF FREE SILICA DUST AND IMPAIRMENT OF RESPIRATORY STATUS: A REVIEW

Abstract

Large numbers of industries, processing units and mines, where the occupational exposures of crystalline free silica dust are common. Although the fatality of silicosis was documented but studies on exposure level of free silica dust, prevalence of Silicosis and recommended level of free SiO2 dust in India and other countries are not comprehensive. The silica dust exposure occurs in many industries, most of them are unorganized in nature, for which the data and statistics are also lacking. So, detailed collaborative studies are essential in India to reduce this occupational disease.