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Archived News Release--Caution:
information may be out of date.
For more information call: (202) 219-8211
A foundry worker from Michigan and a miner from Kentucky
and their families are just a few of today's victims of the age-old problem of
silicosis.
Secretary of Labor Robert B. Reich announced today the
start of a national public education campaign, If It's Silica, It's Not Just
Dust, to prevent silicosis--a disabling, sometimes fatal, lung disease caused
by overexposure to silica dust.
The Labor Department is launching the silicosis prevention
effort jointly with the American Lung Association and the National Institute
for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) in the U.S. Department of Health and
Human Services.
"More than 1 million workers across the country are
exposed to silica dust on the job," said Reich, "and 100,000 of them are at a
high risk of developing silicosis. Even though this disease is 100 percent
preventable, recent studies suggest that the battle against silicosis has not
yet been won."
"This silicosis prevention effort is a partnership that
will save lives and significant human and economic costs," said Secretary of
Health and Human Services Donna E. Shalala.
Each year, more than 250 American workers die with
silicosis. Those who remove paint and rust from buildings, bridges, tanks and
other surfaces; clean foundry castings; mine through rock; crush stone or work
with clay; etch or frost glass; and work in construction are among those at
risk of overexposure to crystalline silica.
Inhalation of crystalline silica, the second most common
mineral in the earth's crust, can lead to chronic, accelerated or acute
silicosis and is associated with bronchitis and tuberculosis. Some studies also
indicate an association with lung cancer. The earliest recorded cases of
silicosis date back to the first century A.D.
"Sixty years ago, labor secretary Frances Perkins launched
a nationwide effort to tackle the problem of silicosis," said Reich. "I am
determined to finish the job she started."
Beginning tomorrow, workers and employers can get a
package of free materials on how to prevent silicosis by calling the NIOSH
toll-free telephone information service (1-800-35-NIOSH). The package contains
a tip sheet of ideas for preventing silicosis, a guide for working safely with
silica, and stickers for hard hats to remind workers that, if it's silica, it's
not just dust. Spanish-language versions also will be available soon.
Department of Labor staff will distribute silica materials
when they inspect mines, construction sites and other affected industries.
NIOSH, the agency that researches and recommends solutions to workplace
hazards, will staff the 800 number and provide technical information to
callers.
"We are continuing to make significant progress in fighting
this disease. But in 1996, there is no reason at all for any workers to suffer
from silicosis," said Reich. "When we get the word out to all workers and
employers on how to control silica dust, lives will be saved."
Joining Reich in today's announcement were silicosis
victims and their families who came to Washington to tell their stories. They
included:
- J.T. Knuckles, a 56-year old foundry worker from Saginaw, Michigan,
now disabled from silicosis.
- Charlene and Kimberly Howard, the wife and daughter of a rockdriller
from Hulen, Kentucky, who died of silicosis at the age of 46.
Alfred Munzer, M.D., past president and volunteer
spokesman for the American Lung Association, described some of the most serious
effects of being overexposed to silica dust. "Silicosis is an insidious,
debilitating lung disease that robs people of their breath and eventually
limits their mobility and makes them dependent on supplemental oxygen," said
Munzer. "Cigarette smoking only aggravates the effects of silica dust and
worsens a patient's condition."
Margaret Seminario, head of health and safety for the
AFL-CIO, lent organized labor's support to the effort: "This is finally the
time to say, Stop!' to silicosis."
Two companies committed to preventing silicosis at their
worksites offered support to silicosis prevention efforts. "Our company is
committed to making the capital investment necessary to eliminate silicosis. We
see this campaign as a perfect example of where government and industry,
working together, can solve a major health issue facing the American worker,"
said Kevin Crawford, chair of the National Industrial Sand Association, and
President and CEO of Unimin Corporation, the nation's leading producer of
industrial sand.
"Our company is pleased to join in this effort to prevent
silicosis, and we believe other companies in our industry can and will share in
our commitment," said Donald M. James, President and COO of Vulcan Materials
Co., the nation's largest producer of construction aggregates.
Some tips for preventing silicosis include:
- Monitor dust levels in the air and take corrective action if
needed.
- Install and maintain engineering controls to reduce silica
dust.
- Use water hoses, vacuums, or wet-sweeping, rather than blowing dust
with compressed air or dry sweeping.
- Train workers about health effects of silica dust and good work
pratices that reduce dust.
As a part of the ongoing campaign to end silicosis, there
will be a national conference in March 1997 in Washington, D.C., focusing on
the best practices to reduce dust and prevent silicosis.
Note to Broadcasters: There will be two satellite feeds of
a video news release on preventing silicosis: on Thursday, Oct., 31, 2:30 -
3:00 PM E.T., Galaxy 6/Transponder 2 and again on Friday, Nov. 1, 1:00 - 1:30
PM E.T., Galaxy (C) 4/Transponder9.
Archived News Release--Caution:
information may be out of date.
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