{"id":557,"date":"2020-02-12T16:47:43","date_gmt":"2020-02-12T23:47:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/contractorslicensingschools.com\/blog\/?p=557"},"modified":"2020-02-13T12:02:09","modified_gmt":"2020-02-13T19:02:09","slug":"is-lung-disease-making-a-comeback-in-construction-how-you-can-protect-yourself","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/contractorslicensingschools.com\/blog\/is-lung-disease-making-a-comeback-in-construction-how-you-can-protect-yourself\/","title":{"rendered":"Is Lung Disease Making a Comeback in Construction? How You Can Protect Yourself."},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/a>Black Lung Disease feels like a reminder of a completely different time. And yet, lung disease caused by the repeated inhalation of a toxic substance is making a comeback in California and other states. The push for engineered stone countertops in residential and commercial construction is creating a problem that many people thought had largely been eradicated. The cutting of silica for countertops, as well as silica dust left on the jobsite, has led to several cases of silicosis. This is a permanent and serious health condition. Here\u2019s what you need to know, and how you can protect yourself and your employees.<\/span><\/p>\n

What Is Silicosis?
\n<\/strong>If you haven\u2019t worked with silica personally, you\u2019re probably at least familiar with the packets used in shelf-stable food items to help keep them fresh. Silica is a common mineral that makes up a lot of things you see all the time, like quartz, sand or even glass. When ground down to a powder, silica is surprisingly easy to inhale. But once you get it into your system, it\u2019s practically impossible to get it out. It only takes a few weeks to start showing symptoms of silicosis, or you might not notice it for years. Common signs include:<\/span><\/p>\n