Study: Farm Workers Face SIgnificant RIsk of Silica Exposure

photo-6A recent study involving several North Carolina farms indicates that the rate of exposure to crystalline silica among workers there may be almost twice as high as previous studies from other parts of the country have indicated.

The study, published in the December issue of the Journal of the American Industrial Hygiene Association, notes that although silica exposure among farm workers is highly variable, potential for exposures above the threshold limit value/time-weighted average (TLV-TWA) of 0.05 mg/m³ exist for several agricultural activities.

"This study confirms the presence of respirable silica in the breathing zone of farm workers and supports …