Silica is a mineral composed of oxygen and silicon.
The notion of silica , coming from the Latin word silex , refers to a mineral that is composed of oxygen and silicon . When silica is hydrated, it forms opal , while if the mineral is anhydrous it gives rise to quartz .
Overview
Present in most rocks , silica is characterized by its hardness. It is the essential component of granite and sand , for example.
Thanks to its resistance to corrosion and abrasion and its good response to mechanical and thermal alterations, silica has multiple uses. It can be used as a coating , in construction, for the manufacture of weapons or even for the development of monuments.
crystalline silica
Crystalline silica is one of the forms of this mineral. It is toxic and, therefore, potentially dangerous to health . It is a component of nature that we can also find very frequently in sand, soil and rocks, but also in brick, concrete and mortar, among several other materials used in construction works. Although it can be found in various forms, the most common is quartz, whose dust can infiltrate the lungs through breathing.
The highest degree of exposure to this mineral takes place above all in the industrial environment, where its particles are usually in the air. Bricklayers, for example, when cutting brick or concrete with a saw, release this dust, and in this way they are directly exposed . Its penetration into the lungs can be very deep, so once it has entered the body it is not easy to combat its effects.
The use of commercial products with a certain quartz content also exposes us to this form of silica, and in this case almost no one is exempt , since we are talking about cosmetic items, enamel paints, household cleaning products and the sand that It is used for cat bowel movements, among many others.
Regarding the disease most frequently linked to exposure to this type of silica, it is lung cancer . To arrive at this information, various studies have been carried out with people who are dedicated to pottery, mining and ceramics, among other occupations that include materials in which crystalline silica is abundant. There are certain standards to reduce these risks, such as those written by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration .
Silicosis
Silicosis is a lung disease that occurs when a person inhales crystalline silica. This is a common condition in those who work in the mining industry, as they are exposed to dust containing this substance.
It is important to note that silicosis can be acute (if the subject had close contact with high amounts of crystalline silica), accelerated (medium exposure) or chronic (from contact with reduced levels of crystalline silica). The presentation of the disease can occur between six months and twenty years after contact.
Concrete is one of several materials in which silica is found.
In any case, the scientific community has investigated the possible positive effects that silica can have on health. Silicic acid could be beneficial as a nutritional additive or as a drug excipient, as suggested by some studies.
Exams and tests that doctors typically perform on silicosis patients include chest x-rays, blood tests, CT scans, and tests for tuberculosis and lung function. All this after a questionnaire about the habits and characteristics of your workspace.