Each year, more than 250 workers in the U.S. die due to silicosis, a disabling, incurable lung disease. Overall, more than 1 million workers are exposed to crystalline silica, which is known to cause silicosis ("A Guide to Working" 1). Occupational exposure during mining operations is one contributor to these statistics. Mining operations have the highest incidence of "dust diseases of the lung" for any major industry, with 3.4 per 10,000 workers experiencing respiratory illness from occupational exposure to dusts (Accident Facts 72). Such exposure can be minimized, however, provided quarries and mining operations implement proven control measures.
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