title: Non-occupational exposure to silica dust.
abstract: Occupational exposure to silica occurs at workplaces in factories like quartz crushing facilities (silica flour milling), agate, ceramic, slate pencil, glass, stone quarries and mines, etc., Non-occupational exposure to silica dust can be from industrial sources in the vicinity of the industry as well as non-industrial sources. Recently, public concern regarding non-occupational or ambient exposure to crystalline silica has emerged making it important to gather information available on non-occupational exposures to silica dust and non-occupational silicosis. This paper reviews various non-occupational exposures reported in literature including some studies by the author. Methodology used in assessment of non-occupational exposures, standards for non-occupational exposures to silica dust and indirect estimation of cumulative risk % are also discussed.
authors.affiliation: National Institute of Occupational Health, Meghani Nagar, Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India.
authors.forename: L J
authors.initials: LJ
authors.lastname: Bhagia
keywords: Non-occupational exposure; quartz; silica; silicosis