1. Can Silicosis Be Cured? ) Repetitive motion disorders – A range
of injuries to the muscles, tendons, nerves, James E. McGreevey Clifton R. Lacy, M.D.
ligaments and joints of arms, hands, wrists, Governor Commissioner
No. There is no known medical treatment to
shoulders, neck, and upper back. These
reverse silicosis or stop its progress. This dis-
injuries result from damage to the body
ease can only be prevented by controlling
over a period of time. If not treated they
exposure to silica dust. Workers who have been
can result in chronic pain and permanent
exposed to silica should stop smoking to reduce
disability.
their risk of developing lung cancer.
) Noise – grinding, sandblasting, and other What
Are There Other Potential
Health Hazards Associated
dental lab machinery can make noise that may
cause hearing loss.
Dental Technicians
With Working in a Dental Lab? Need to Know
) Chemical sterilants – These are used to
sterilize impressions and prosthetic devices, About Silicosis
Yes. They include the following: received from dental offices, contaminated with
blood and saliva. Sterilant chemicals include
) Bloodborne pathogens – Exposure to aldehydes, phenols, and quaternary ammonium
the agents that cause HIV, Hepatitis B, and C compounds. These chemicals may cause lung
can occur when handling impressions and
problems and dermatitis.
other items if contaminated with blood or
saliva.
Who Can I Contact for
) Methyl methacrylate – Used in making Additional Information?
dentures and plates, it can be absorbed into
the body by inhalation, through the skin, and
by ingestion. It is irritating to the eyes, skin, If you have any questions about silicosis or need
and respiratory tract. Repeated and prolonged information about occupational health hazards in
exposure can cause skin sensitization and dental laboratories, please write, phone, e-mail, or
asthma, as well as adverse effects on the fax your request as shown below:
nervous system.
NJ Department of Health & Senior Services
) Electroplating chemicals – The process Occupational Health Surveillance Program
of electroplating can release hazardous con- PO Box 360
taminants into the air that pose a variety of Trenton, NJ 08625-0360
risks to the dental lab worker. The contami-
nants include various acid and alkaline mists Phone : (609) 984-1863
that can cause respiratory and skin problems. e-mail: surveillance@doh.state.nj.us
Fax: (609) 292-5677
) Metals such as beryllium, chromium,
cobalt, and nickel. These metals in alloys used
for castings of bridge framework and other
dental prosthesis components can cause a Visit our web site at
variety of lung problems. www.state.nj.us/health/eoh/survweb Division of Epidemiology, Environmental and Occupational Health

2. What is Silicosis? Grinding porcelain – Silica content in porcelain
varies. Exposure can occur when mixing porcelain
powders or when grinding or polishing dried porce-
Silicosis is a disabling and incurable lung disease. lain material.
However, it is preventable! Silicosis is caused by
breathing in fine dust containing crystalline silica. Cleaning/Maintenance – Tasks that involve clean-
Once in the lungs, this dust causes damage that stops ing dusts that contain silica pose a major hazard if
the body from using oxygen properly. Breathing in dust is raised. The same is true when maintaining
dust containing crystalline silica has been linked to local exhaust ventilation or dust collection systems.
other diseases such as tuberculosis, kidney disease, and
lung cancer. How Can Exposure to Silica be
Silicosis begins with few, if any, symptoms. Once
Controlled in a Dental Lab?
present, these symptoms can include shortness of
breath, severe cough, wheezing, and chest tightness. Substitution – The ideal method to stop exposure
Silicosis can get worse even after exposure has stopped. is to eliminate materials containing crystalline silica.
This method is most feasible for sandblasting me- What Medical Tests Should I Have
Do Dental Technicians Get dia. Aluminum oxide is
If I Think That I May Have Been
Silicosis? one of many acceptable
Dental lab materials that substitutes. Exposed to Silica?
contain silica:
Yes. Silicosis has been diagnosed and confirmed l sand Ventilation – When In the case of silicosis, disease symptoms and clinical
in dental laboratory workers. One individual there are no good substi-
l investment materials signs are usually delayed. They may not show up
developed the disease after only six years of tutes, dust exposure
l porcelain for as many as 20 years after the first exposure. If
exposure. should be minimized
l shop dust you think you have been exposed or begin to notice
through the use of local symptoms such as cough and shortness of breath,
What Tasks in a Dental Lab exhaust ventilation sys- you should go to your doctor and explain your work
Cause Silica Exposure? tems. These systems capture dust at its source and history.
transport it to a dust collection system.
Your doctor should give you a medical exam that
Casting – Exposure can occur when mixing invest- Respirators – The worker should wear a respirator checks your respiratory system. This exam should
ment materials and during divestment of castings. In- when other control methods are missing or do not include pulmonary function tests. You will also need
vestment materials often contain large amounts of work. The type of respirator recommended is, a chest X-ray that should be read and evaluated by a
cristobalite. Cristobalite is a very toxic form of crys- at a minimum, a half-mask air-purifying respirator certified “B-reader,” a person trained to read X-rays
talline silica. with type N-100 particulate filters. showing silicosis. A skin test for tuberculosis is also
Sandblasting – Sandblasting of castings can cause recommended because people with silicosis are more
Good housekeeping – Wet wiping, wet moping, susceptible to this disease. Additional information
exposure to the investment material or the sand itself.
and vacuuming with a HEPA vacuum are recom- can be found in the factsheet, “To My Doctor: What
Silica sand is often used to clean castings. It contains
mended. Dry sweeping, dry dusting, use of com- Physicians Need to Know about Occupational
almost 100% crystalline silica. Exposure can also oc-
pressed air, and use of ordinary vacuum cleaners Silicosis and Silica Exposure Sources.” Call the
cur when the blasting box has leaks. Opening the door
should be avoided because they reintroduce the dust Occupational Health Service or visit our web site.
of the blasting box before the dust has settled or been
into the air. See back of brochure for details.
removed by a dust collection system is dangerous.