Is this a true statement? I found it on a web supposedly from an expert.
"Fortunately silica, unlike some other materials, can and does get absorbed or is expelled. It does not dissolve well however. Silica is an essential mineral and your body required several milligrams per day." He also said that our bodies would get rid of small exposures of silica and that the exposures are only dangerous is you have consistent small exposures over 10 years or if you have severe exposures in a short time.
The reason why I ask is because I was at my friends house yesterday, and we were jackhammering the concrete slab in his enclosed basement to move some pipes that the contractors had put in the wrong place. We only did a small area, for about 5 min. Not much dust was produced, and I was standing about 15 ft. from where he was jackhammering. We had some ventilation with a box fan in a window, but not a whole lot. Neither of us had respiratory protection since it was such a small job, plus I didn't know about silicosis till today. Will my body remove this small amount of silica and will have any problems from it? I am only 26, and I am already concerned about it. Anybody have any stories about working with silica? I hope that I don't develop this disease in the future from this exposure. I am really scared and worried. What are your experiences?
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