Crystalline silica, also known as quartz, is a natural component of sand and granite that is commonly found in construction materials. Exposure to crystalline silica dust can cause silicosis, a lung disease where scar tissue forms and reduces lung function. Construction workers are at risk of exposure during activities like sandblasting, jackhammering, cutting concrete, and tunneling. OSHA has regulations to limit crystalline silica exposure and requires employers to provide protective equipment and engineering controls to prevent workers from breathing in harmful silica dust.