Health Effects of Atmospheric Hazards

Excessive or long-term exposure to harmful respirable dusts may result in a respiratory disease called pneumoconiosis. This disease is caused by the buildup of mineral or metallic dust particles in the lungs and how the tissue reacts to their presence. Pneumoconiosis is a general name for a number of dust-related lung diseases. Some types of pneumoconiosis are silicosis and black lung.

Silicosis

Silicosis is a form of pneumoconiosis caused by the dust of quartz and other silicates. The condition of the lungs is marked by nodular fibrosis (scarring of the lung tissue), resulting in shortness of breath. Silicosis is an irreversible disease; advanced stages are progressive even if the individual is removed from the exposure. Each year in the United States, more than 200 workers die from silicosis and hundreds more become disabled.

Symptoms of silicosis include the following:

• Shortness of breath
• Severe cough
• Weakness
• Fever
• Weight loss
• Night sweats
• Chest pains
• Respiratory failure

To learn more about MSHA Part 48 training requirements visit our MSHA Part 48 Subpart B Surface Mining Online Training web page.