(OSHA) New study finds increased risk between silica and lung cancer and need for action to protect workers

A newly published review by Steenland and Ward printed in CA: A Cancer Journal for Clinicians highlights three important developments for understanding health effects associated with silica exposure and preventing illness and death from workplace exposure to silica. First, recent studies in workers have shown increased lung cancer and lung-disease related deaths in silica-exposed workers. Secondly, the review highlights OSHA’s proposed rule on respirable crystalline silica, noting that lowering the Permissible Exposure Limit to the proposed level will reduce currently predicted silicosis and lung cancer deaths by one half. Third, the review notes that low-dose computed tomography scanning has been proven to be effective for lung cancer screening.

OSHA invites and strongly encourages the public to participate in the process of developing a final silica rule through written comments and participation in public hearings. The notice of proposed rulemaking is available in a Federal Register notice. Additional information on the proposed rule, including five fact sheets, and procedures for submitting written comments and participating in public hearings is available at www.osha.gov/silica.

Source: OSHA