Tips for artists to prevent silicosis. Image: Aakash Khan / Unsplash.
Is all the concern surrounding silicosis just hype, fear and worst-case scenarios?
Silicosis occurs when silica dust is inhaled deep into the lungs. The lungs are unable to remove the dust and the crystalline structure, causing damage to the tissue. Silicosis is usually due to repeated exposures over an extended period, and the disease has a long gestitation period. It will lead to inflammation, possibly scarring, and decline in lung capacity. It is incurable.
Gina Fairley is ArtsHub's Senior Contributor, after 12 years in the role as National Visual Arts Editor. She has worked for extended periods in America and Southeast Asia, as gallerist, arts administrator and regional contributing editor for a number of magazines, including Hong Kong based Asian Art News and World Sculpture News. She is an Art Tour leader for the AGNSW Members, and lectures regularly on the state of the arts. She is based in Mittagong, regional NSW.
Instagram: fairleygina
