Silica

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OSHA Regulatory Plan for Silica, Beryllium Delayed (02/11/08) read more...

New Silica Study Finds High Exposure Rates; Inadequate Protection in Construction (03/27/06) read more...

Crystalline Silica, Hexavalent Chromium Head List of Regulatory Concerns (1/24/05)

Guides for Managing Lead and Silica Managing Lead and Silica Now Available (9/6/04)

OSHA Moves Ahead on Crystalline Silica Standards. (2/9/04)

Silica Rule Not Needed; Too Expensive, Small Business Reps Tell OSHA. (1/19/03)

OSHA Hears Small Employer Comments on Silica Regulation Draft . (12/15/03)

OSHA offers health hazard information cards on crystalline silica. (3/22/03)

Special Emphasis Program (SEP) for Silicosis. (5/7/02)

Current U.S. Guidelines andLimits for Occupational Exposure to Crystalline Silica
Reference	Substance	Guideline or limit (mg/m3)
NIOSH (1974)	Crystalline silica: quartz, cristoballite, and triymite as respirable dust	REL* = 0.05 (for up to a 10-hr workday during a 40-hour workweek)
OSHA (29 CFR 1910.1000-Table Z-3)	Respirable crystalline silica: quartz, cristoballite, and triymite	PEL* = 10 divided by the percent of quartz + 2 (8-hr TWA)
ACGIH (2001)	Respirable crystalline silica: quartz, cristoballite, and triymite	TLV = 0.05 (8-hr TWA)
*Abbreviations: REL = recommended exposure limit; PEL = permissible exposure; TWA = time-weighted average, ACGIH = American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists, Inc.

Source: Health Effects of Occupational Exposure to Respirable Crystalline Silica (DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 2002-129, April 2002)

Check the latest NIOSH research reports on silica exposure.

The New Jersey Department of Health developed a physician's alert for workers exposed to silica. (6/30/03)