Can Silicosis Be Cured? ) Repetitive motion disorders – A range of injuries to the muscles, tendons, nerves, James E. McGreevey Clifton R. Lacy, M.D. ligaments and joints of arms, hands, wrists, Governor Commissioner No. There is no known medical treatment to shoulders, neck, and upper back. These reverse silicosis or stop its progress. This dis- injuries result from damage to the body ease can only be prevented by controlling over a period of time. If not treated they exposure to silica dust. Workers who have been can result in chronic pain and permanent exposed to silica should stop smoking to reduce disability. their risk of developing lung cancer. ) Noise – grinding, sandblasting, and other What Are There Other Potential dental lab machinery can make noise that may Dental Technicians Health Hazards Associated cause hearing loss. With Working in a Dental Lab? Need to Know ) Chemical sterilants – These are used to sterilize impressions and prosthetic devices, About Silicosis Yes. They include the following: received from dental offices, contaminated with blood and saliva. Sterilant chemicals include ) Bloodborne pathogens – Exposure to aldehydes, phenols, and quaternary ammonium the agents that cause HIV, Hepatitis B, and C compounds. These chemicals may cause lung can occur when handling impressions and problems and dermatitis. other items if contaminated with blood or saliva. Who Can I Contact for ) Methyl methacrylate – Used in making Additional Information? dentures and plates, it can be absorbed into the body by inhalation, through the skin, and by ingestion. It is irritating to the eyes, skin, If you have any questions about silicosis or need and respiratory tract. Repeated and prolonged information about occupational health hazards in exposure can cause skin sensitization and dental laboratories, please write, phone, e-mail, or asthma, as well as adverse effects on the fax your request as shown below: nervous system. NJ Department of Health & Senior Services ) Electroplating chemicals – The process Occupational Health Surveillance Program of electroplating can release hazardous con- PO Box 360 taminants into the air that pose a variety of Trenton, NJ 08625-0360 risks to the dental lab worker. The contami- nants include various acid and alkaline mists Phone : (609) 984-1863 that can cause respiratory and skin problems. e-mail: [email protected] Fax: (609) 292-5677 ) Metals such as beryllium, chromium, cobalt, and nickel. These metals in alloys used for castings of bridge framework and other dental prosthesis components can cause a Visit our web site at variety of lung problems. www.state.nj.us/health/eoh/survweb Division of Epidemiology, Environmental and Occupational Health What is Silicosis? Grinding porcelain – Silica content in porcelain varies. Exposure can occur when mixing porcelain powders or when grinding or polishing dried porce- Silicosis is a disabling and incurable lung disease. lain material. However, it is preventable! Silicosis is caused by breathing in fine dust containing crystalline silica. Cleaning/Maintenance – Tasks that involve clean- Once in the lungs, this dust causes damage that stops ing dusts that contain silica pose a major hazard if the body from using oxygen properly. Breathing in dust is raised. The same is true when maintaining dust containing crystalline silica has been linked to local exhaust ventilation or dust collection systems. other diseases such as tuberculosis, kidney disease, and lung cancer. How Can Exposure to Silica be Controlled in a Dental Lab? Silicosis begins with few, if any, symptoms. Once present, these symptoms can include shortness of breath, severe cough, wheezing, and chest tightness. Substitution – The ideal method to stop exposure Silicosis can get worse even after exposure has stopped. is to eliminate materials containing crystalline silica. This method is most feasible for sandblasting me- What Medical Tests Should I Have Do Dental Technicians Get dia. Aluminum oxide is If I Think That I May Have Been Silicosis? one of many acceptable Dental lab materials that substitutes. Exposed to Silica? contain silica: Yes. Silicosis has been diagnosed and confirmed l sand Ventilation – When In the case of silicosis, disease symptoms and clinical in dental laboratory workers. One individual l investment materials there are no good substi- signs are usually delayed. They may not show up developed the disease after only six years of l porcelain tutes, dust exposure for as many as 20 years after the first exposure. If exposure. should be minimized l shop dust you think you have been exposed or begin to notice through the use of local symptoms such as cough and shortness of breath, What Tasks in a Dental Lab exhaust ventilation sys- you should go to your doctor and explain your work Cause Silica Exposure? tems. These systems capture dust at its source and history. transport it to a dust collection system. Your doctor should give you a medical exam that Casting – Exposure can occur when mixing invest- Respirators – The worker should wear a respirator checks your respiratory system. This exam should ment materials and during divestment of castings. In- when other control methods are missing or do not include pulmonary function tests. You will also need vestment materials often contain large amounts of work. The type of respirator recommended is, a chest X-ray that should be read and evaluated by a cristobalite. Cristobalite is a very toxic form of crys- at a minimum, a half-mask air-purifying respirator certified “B-reader,” a person trained to read X-rays talline silica. with type N-100 particulate filters. showing silicosis. A skin test for tuberculosis is also Sandblasting – Sandblasting of castings can cause recommended because people with silicosis are more Good housekeeping – Wet wiping, wet moping, exposure to the investment material or the sand itself. susceptible to this disease. Additional information and vacuuming with a HEPA vacuum are recom- Silica sand is often used to clean castings. It contains can be found in the factsheet, “To My Doctor: What mended. Dry sweeping, dry dusting, use of com- almost 100% crystalline silica. Exposure can also oc- Physicians Need to Know about Occupational pressed air, and use of ordinary vacuum cleaners cur when the blasting box has leaks. Opening the door Silicosis and Silica Exposure Sources.” Call the should be avoided because they reintroduce the dust of the blasting box before the dust has settled or been Occupational Health Service or visit our web site. into the air. removed by a dust collection system is dangerous. See back of brochure for details.