Dust: Silicosis versus Asbestos. Let’s go back again to 1937

I have seen a number of postings on Facebook from outside of the United States discussing the rise in silicosis related illnesses in comparison to asbestos. This link is from Australia, https://lungfoundation.com.au/patients-carers/conditions/occupational-lung-disease/silicosis/#:~:text=There%20are%20an%20increasing%20number,of%20exposure%20to%20silica%20dust., and this from the U.K., https://www.hse.gov.uk/lung-disease/silicosis.htm. Clearly, silicosis is a deadly dust related disease that deserves attention. In addition, it is certainly not a new issue.

Given my posting last week on dust investigations by Standard Oil Company (N.J.), I decided that an easy history lesson for those concerned with silicosis is best contained in the same 1937 publication that we discussed last week for asbestos. The publication is contained in full at the following link and and you should feel free to download a copy should you desire. https://theasbestosblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/1937-Standard-Oil-Study-Dust-pdf-format.pdf

My recommendation is to focus on the discussion about dust as a health hazard in general starting on the below pages and then focus on the extensive discussions on silicosis that occur throughout the publication. Again, I apologize for the bad condition of my source documents, but that is what I have in my copies.

As you read the full publication, the obviousness of dust related issues in general, and silicosis related issues, becomes very obvious.

Even more importantly from a historical perspective, silicosis was considered by the industrial and medical communities as a much bigger hazard by 1937 than was asbestos related diseases.

1937 was a long time ago. You would think that by 2023, the exposure giving rise to silicosis would have been resolve or, at least, put in its rightful place. Perhaps a new and modern focus will do so.

Let me know what you think about this post either by leaving a comment or by emailing me at TheAsbestosBlog@gmail.com. Thank you. Marty