Silica is the second most common mineral on earth.
It is found in sand, many rocks such as granite, sandstone, flint and slate, and in some coal and metallic ores like ... well, you take a wild guess.
Silicosis is due to deposition of fine dust containing crystalline silicon dioxide (SiO2).
The induction period between initial silica exposure and development of detectable silicosis is usually 10 years. Shorter induction periods are associated with heavy exposures, and acute silicosis may develop within 6 months to 2 years following massive silica exposure.
The Weipa bauxite deposit has 5 to 5.5% of SiO2 (apparently it doesn't - see post above).Word is that Nanum should have a nice dust cloud coming their way once a new RTA project begins shortly. How much of that cloud is going to be SiO2 is debatable. And what the hell, just shut the house and turn on the air-cons - a little dust inhalation never hurt anyone ... well, except those who died from it.
So say tuned. We'll be coughing up that story as soon as we get the details correct ... or close enough to be controversial.
2 comments:
Silicosis is caused by the the inhilation of respirable Quartz or Amorphous (non crystalline) silica.
Respirable dust is defined as particles in the 5 micron to 0.5 micron range.
Testwork done when I was an RTA employee indicated thatthere was no amorphous silica in the local dust and that quartz does not break down to 5 micons or smaller.
Whilst I appreciate the humour in some of your articles, this one could cause a lot of pain and or panic in people who do not know the facts including yourselves. I suggest that you remove the article and appologise or prepare for an onslaught.
Regards
An ex (retrenched) RTA employee.
We shut the house & turn on the aircons now because of dust-caused by the wankers & morons who continually use the drains & greenbelts (at ridiculous speeds) as a short cut to the lakes, Evans landing & even the other side of town. If I was a copper I'd sit down there with speed gun & breathalyser.
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