OSHA 10 Hour Construction Program Practice Test

What health condition can long-term exposure to crystalline silica potentially cause?

1. Asbestosis

2. Silicosis

3. Mesothelioma

4. Lung cancer

The correct answer is: Silicosis

Long-term exposure to crystalline silica is most notably linked to the development of silicosis, a serious and potentially disabling lung disease. Silicosis occurs as inhaled silica dust accumulates in the lungs, leading to inflammation and the formation of scar tissue that can obstruct normal breathing and lung function. This condition is a type of pneumoconiosis specifically caused by silica, distinguishing it from other diseases such as asbestosis, which is caused by asbestos exposure, and mesothelioma, which is primarily linked to asbestos as well but presents in a different pathology. While crystalline silica exposure can also be associated with lung cancer, silicosis is the direct disease specifically caused by prolonged silica inhalation. Therefore, identifying silicosis as the correct answer emphasizes the direct health impact of crystalline silica on respiratory health.