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Oct 26, 2024

Legal Options for Silica Dust Exposure in California

Most construction materials used to renovate or build a home contain silica dust, some of which include stone, rock, sand, gravel, clay, bricks, tiles, concrete, quartz, and certain plastics. Exposure

Most construction materials used to renovate or build a home contain silica dust, some of which include stone, rock, sand, gravel, clay, bricks, tiles, concrete, quartz, and certain plastics. Exposure to this dust can increase the risk of developing numerous health problems, according to data from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). As of the writing of this article, an estimated 2.3 million people in the U.S. have jobs that expose them to silica.

It is worth noting that silica dust exposure is not limited to the construction industry alone. According to the U.S. Department of Labor, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and other government and private organizations, those who work in electronics, mining, dentistry, fabrication, and manufacturing sectors are also susceptible to silica dust exposure. And that exposure can be just as damaging to their health. As unsettling as this all is, there is some good news. Many states, including California, are taking steps to help minimize silica dust exposure in the workplace.

Effective December 29, 2023, the California Occupational Safety and Health Standards Board introduced safety regulations to ensure the health and safety of workers. It requires employers to ensure employees are not exposed to airborne concentrations of respirable crystalline silica over 50 micrograms per cubic meter of air (50 μg/m3) in an 8-hour workday. These safety regulations are supposed to minimize health problems caused by exposure to silica dust, such as silicosis, a form of occupational lung disease, kidney disease, and respiratory problems. According to the California Occupational Safety & Health Standards Board, all California employers, irrespective of industry, must adhere to the following:

Exposure to silica dust in the workplace significantly increases the risk of developing silicosis, which, in turn, heightens the risk of being diagnosed with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), lung cancer, kidney disease, and many other health problems. Symptoms typical of silicosis can include the following:

If you have been diagnosed with any of these diseases due to exposure to silica dust in your workplace, you may be eligible to receive financial compensation. That compensation can come by way of any of the following:

In summary, exposure to silica dust in the workplace can compromise an individual’s health and, in extreme cases, may even cost them their lives. If you have been diagnosed with silicosis or any other health problem related to silica dust exposure, consider discussing your legal options with a licensed and experienced personal injury attorney today.

Martin Gasparian is the founder of Maison Law, a California Personal Injury Law Firm. Martin is a graduate of Georgetown University Law School and has been practicing law in California 2004. His practice focuses on helping injury victims know their rights and recover just compensation.