Industrial Hygiene Resources to Prevent New Cases of Silicosis in Puerto Rico

The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) describes silicosis as a spectrum of lung diseases caused by inhalation of free crystalline silica. Silicosis is incurable and can lead to disability and death. Tragically, workers from a broad range of industries are exposed to crystalline silica.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) defines crystalline silica as a common mineral found in the earth’s crust. Materials like sand, stone, concrete, and mortar contain it. It is also used to make products such as glass, pottery, ceramics, bricks, and artificial stone.

The agency goes on to share that respirable crystalline silica are very small particles, at least 100 times smaller than ordinary sand. It is created when cutting, sawing, grinding, drilling, and crushing stone, rock, concrete, brick, block, and mortar. Activities such as abrasive blasting with sand; sawing brick or concrete; sanding or drilling into concrete walls; grinding mortar; manufacturing brick, concrete blocks, stone countertops, or ceramic products; and cutting or crushing stone can result in worker exposures to respirable crystalline silica dust.

“According to the OSHA, some 2.3 million people in the U.S. are exposed to silica at work,” said Harry Pena, President of Zimmetry Environmental. “Workers who inhale crystalline silica particles are at increased risk of developing serious silica-related diseases warns OSHA. In addition to silicosis, they could also develop lung cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and kidney disease. This is why businesses and institutions are required to adhere to health and safety regulations to protect their employees. Noncompliance fines can run into the hundreds of thousands of dollars.”

The industrial hygiene professionals at Zimmetry provide occupational exposure testing and monitoring for crystalline silica and a wide range of other respirable hazards. They also offer worksite assessments that involve evaluating engineering controls and personal protective equipment training to mitigate these types of risks. Zimmetry has even sponsored an educational video about exposure risks for developing silicosis that can be seen at: https://youtu.be/a9Hn2lxrJBE

To learn more about Zimmetry Environmental and their industrial hygiene, air quality, environmental, compliance, and consulting services, please visit www.zimmetry.com, call (787) 995.0005, or email info@zimmetry.com .

About Zimmetry Environmental
Since 2002, Zimmetry Environmental has been providing environmental consulting services to building owners and managers, architects, engineers, EHS professionals, and Fortune 500 companies. The company is based in Puerto Rico and provides services across the Caribbean and Central America. The professionals at Zimmetry offer environmental compliance, indoor air quality, asbestos, lead-based paint, Phase I ESAs, and general environmental consulting services.

Contact Information

Paul Cochrane

President

Cochrane & Associates, LLC

Contact via E-mail