|WH Projects and Activities - Silicosis| Crystalline silica is
one of the most common minerals in the earth's crust.
Crystalline silica dust is released during numerous operations
in which silica-containing products undergo any process that can
create visible or invisible dust particles, such as the drilling
of concrete. Workers may be exposed to crystalline silica in
many different workplaces and processes such as mines,
construction sites, and during the making of ceramicss. Millions
of workers in the Americas are exposed to crystalline silica. In
Colombia alone, an estimated 1.8 million workers are at risk of
developing silicosis, which is an incurable and irreversible
lung disease caused by inhalation of dust containing free
crystalline silica. Preventive action should be taken before
workers are exposed. The programme will depend heavily on
cooperation between international organizations and
industrialized and developing countries. In 2005, WHO, PAHO, the
Chilean Ministry of Health and ILO requested that