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Inhaling respirable crystalline silica dust

Document
Last amended 
23 June 2015

Malignant neoplasm of the lung - Inhaling respirable crystalline silica dust Factor

There is no RMA definition of this SOP factor.

The most common forms of crystalline silica are quartz, cristobalite and tridymite.  Crystalline silica is the principle component of sandstone and other rocks.

Examples of occupations with respirable crystalline silica dust exposure
Industry/occupation
Specific tasks

Abrasives

Silicon carbide production; abrasive products fabrication

Agriculture

Mechanised ploughing, harvesting; sorting, cleaning, grading

Agricultural chemicals

Raw material crushing, handling

Asphalt and roofing felt

Filling and granule application

Automobile/Vehicle repair

Abrasive blasting

Boiler scaling

Clean ash and mineral deposits from coal-fired boilers

Cement

Materials processing: clay, sand, limestone, diatomaceous earth

Ceramics

Mixing, moulding, glaze or enamel spraying, finishing

Construction

Abrasive blasting: highway and tunnel construction; excavation/earth moving; masonry, concrete work, demolition

Dental material

Abrasive blasting, polishing

Foundries

Casting, shaking-out; abrasive blasting, felting; furnace installation and repair

Glass, fibreglass

Raw material processing (sand, quartz); refractory installation and repair

Iron, steel mills

Refractory preparation and furnace repair

Jewellery

Cutting, grinding, polishing, buffing (gems, stones)

Metal

Abrasive blasting (structural, machinery, transportation equipment)

Mining, milling

Most occupations and mines (ores, associated rock)

Paint

Raw materials handling (fillers)

Quarrying, milling

Stone, sand, gravel processing; stone cutting and abrasive blasting; slate work; diatomite calcination

Rubber and plastics

Raw materials handling (fillers)

Shipbuilding, repair

Abrasive blasting

Silicon, ferro-silicon

Raw materials handling (sand)

Soaps, cosmetics

Abrasive soaps, scouring powders

Industries, occupations, and tasks with crystalline silica exposure (Parks et al 1999:794). Data from the International Agency for Research on Cancer.

Additional information about the scope and nature of particular service occupations may be located in Physical requirements, duties, and workplace hazards of specific military occupations

Last reviewed for CCPS 18 July 2007.

Investigative Documents
TypeTitlePDF FormatWord Format
Claimant Report
Respirable Crystalline Silica Dust
CR9201.pdf
CR9201.docx
Preliminary questions [31736]

31742 there is some evidence that inhaling respirable crystalline silica dust may be a factor in the development of the condition under consideration.

31745  the veteran has established the causal connection between inhaling respirable crystalline silica dust and operational service for the clinical onset of malignant neoplasm of the lung.

Clinical onset and operational service [31745]

31743 the veteran has inhaled respirable crystalline silica dust as specified in the reasonable hypothesis Statement of Principles for malignant neoplasm of the lung at some time.

34302 the veteran inhaled respirable crystalline silica dust as specified in the reasonable hypothesis Statement of Principles for malignant neoplasm of the lung before the clinical onset of the condition under consideration.

34303 operational service made a material contribution to the veteran's inhalation of respirable crystalline silica dust as specified in the reasonable hypothesis Statement of Principles for malignant neoplasm of the lung before the clinical onset of the condition under consideration.

34304 where operational service made a material contribution to the veteran's inhalation of respirable crystalline silica dust as specified in the reasonable hypothesis Statement of Principles for malignant neoplasm of the lung before the clinical onset of the condition under consideration, the first such service-related inhalation occurred at least five years before the clinical onset of the condition under consideration.

31749 the veteran's inhalation of respirable crystalline silica dust as specified in the reasonable hypothesis Statement of Principles for malignant neoplasm of the lung, to which operational service made a material contribution and the inhalation occurred at least five years before the clinical onset of the condition under consideration, was due to the veteran's serious default, wilful act or serious breach of discipline.