About
This Hazard Review, Health Effects of Occupational Exposure to Respirable Crystalline Silica, describes published studies and literature on the health effects of occupational exposure to respirable crystalline silica among workers in the United States and many other countries. The review indicates a significant risk of chronic silicosis for workers exposed to respirable crystalline silica over a working lifetime at the current Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) permissible exposure limit (PEL), the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) PEL, or the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) recommended exposure limit (REL).
Suggested citation
NIOSH [2002]. Health Effects of Occupational Exposure to Respirable Crystalline Silica. Schulte PA, Rice FL, Key-Schwartz RJ, Bartley DL, Baron PA, Schlecht PC, Gressel MG, Echt AS. Cincinnati, OH: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 2002-129.