• Dr. Rajesh Singh

The occupational lung disease caused by inhalation of crystalline silica dust, and is marked by inflammation and scarring in the form of nodular lesions in the upper lobes of the lungs. It is a type of pneumoconiosis. Silicosis is characterized by shortness of breath (Dyspnea), cough, fever, and cyanosis (bluish skin). It may often be misdiagnosed as pulmonary edema (fluid in the lungs), pneumonia, or tuberculosis. Silica is today known as carcinogen that can cause cancer, including lung cancer. Biomarkers may enable in diagnosis to take timely preventive steps and ensure a prolonged healthy life of the affected person. The change in the values of biomarkers (Serum Cu, Neopterin, Serum selenium, Serum Zn, Angiotensin-converting enzyme, Heme oxygenase-1 and Clara cell protein (CC16) in blood serum can help us to diagnose and in the prognosis of the disease before it is actually diagnosed by the conventional X-ray technique and lung function test used for diagnosis of silicosis and the lung fibrosis has been observed. Because of work-exposure to silica dust, silicosis is an occupational hazard to mining, sandblasting, quarry, ceramics and foundry workers, as well as grinders, stone cutters, refractory brick workers, tombstone workers, pottery workers, flint knappers and others.700 cases of silicosis disease detected in last two years in Rajasthan. Because no effective treatment for silicosis is available, effective control of exposure to crystalline silica in the workplace is crucial. Therefore, primary prevention (i.e., engineering or other control of exposure) should be maintained or improved to reduce worker morbidity and mortality. Awareness in most of the sandstone workers about causation, sign and symptoms about the silicosis may provide a better way to deal with the deadly disease.

Silicon dioxide (SiO2), Silicosis, Cyanosis, Neopterin, Biomarkers Deadly Disease

"THE OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH HAZARD SILICON DIOXIDE (SiO2) IN CAUSING SILICOSIS AND AWARENESS", International Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research (www.jetir.org), ISSN:2349-5162, Vol.4, Issue 5, page no.495-499, May-2017, Available :http://www.jetir.org/papers/JETIR1705090.pdf

"THE OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH HAZARD SILICON DIOXIDE (SiO2) IN CAUSING SILICOSIS AND AWARENESS", International Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research (www.jetir.org | UGC and issn Approved), ISSN:2349-5162, Vol.4, Issue 5, page no. pp495-499, May-2017, Available at : http://www.jetir.org/papers/JETIR1705090.pdf