Blog

Construction Accident

• How to Avoid Scaffolding Accidents in Kansas City

View All

Kansas City Drywall Workers: Drywall Dust May Be Hazardous To Your Health

Construction workers who sand drywall joint compound or work on drywall demolition are often exposed to high concentrations of drywall dusts. These dusts contain minerals such as talc, calcite, mica, gypsum, and silica that have been associated with eye, nose, throat, and respiratory tract irritation. Over time, breathing the dust from drywall joint compounds may cause persistent throat and airway irritation, coughing, phlegm production, and breathing difficulties that are similar to asthma. There is a risk of more serious health problems for workers who smoke or have pre-existing sinus or respiratory conditions. When silica is present in dust, workers also face an increased risk of silicosis and lung cancer.

In 1999, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) issued a health hazard alert about the dangers of drywall construction after a NIOSH Health Hazard Evaluation (HHE) found that drywall sanders were exposed to as much as ten times the OSHA permissible exposure limit (a PEL of 15 mg/m3) for total dust.

Health Effects of Drywall Dust

Throat and Lung Irritation

Breath in drywall dust can cause immediate discomfort. Symptoms include:

• Nose, throat or lung irritation
• Choking

A person experiencing irritation, coughing or choking after being exposed to drywall dust should be moved to a place with fresh air. If the symptoms do not subside, the person should seek medical help and be tested for more chronic conditions such as asthma, silicosis and lung cancer.

Silicosis

Drywall dust contains crystalline silica and mica, which have been named hazardous materials by OSHA. Both silica and mica are found in the joint compound mud that fills the nail heads and seams that hold drywall in place. When drywall is sanded, crystalline silica and mica is released into the air as dust. These minerals are extremely dangerous to the lungs. When they are inhaled, they are embedded in lung tissue. The lung tissue develops fiber nodules and scarring around the silica particles; this is known as silicosis. Symptoms can occur weeks or years after exposure and include increased difficulty breathing. Death can occur from lung disease or from tuberculosis.

Chronic Conditions

Other chronic conditions can develop from prolonged exposure to drywall dust. Crystalline silica is considered a human carcinogen and may cause lung cancer. Drywall dust is also associated with asthma and autoimmune diseases, including scleroderma (thickening of the skin), systemic lupus erythematosus, rheumatoid arthritis and kidney disease. Drywall workers who are exposed to crystalline silica are also at an increased risk for tuberculosis, kidney diseases and renal disease.

Because symptoms may not develop until years after the exposure to drywall dust, victims of lung cancer and silicosis may need legal assistance when filing their claim. The Kansas City construction injury attorneys at Kansas City Accident Injury Attorneys can help. We understand the Missouri Worker’s Compensation process and we can help you determine if a third party is liable for your injury. To learn more and take the first step towards getting your medical bills paid, contact Kansas City Accident Injury Attorneys at 888-348-2616.

To learn more about construction site injuries, download our free book: “How to Avoid Becoming a Work Injury Horror Story.”

Just Ask

Free Consumer Guides

Testimonials

• I’m highly satisfied, I would call Victor again. I needed his help, and he has been a great attorney. I’m very comfortable recommending victor to other clients. Now that I’m happy with how much he’s helped me, I’m definitely recommending him to anyone that needed his help.
• Heather was very nice and polite and very informative. Heather was very responsive when I asked her questions and very informative. Yes, she was very aggressive with the insurance company. She was very aggressive trying to get a higher amount. Yes she was very nice. She is very informative and knows what she is doing.
• It was great to work with Heather, she kept me informed about everything, the dos and the don’ts and what everything was and kept me on track. she was very professional she told you what was going on, she kept you a breast of everything that was going on, she was an excellent lawyer. Ms Heather and the whole staff at the Accident Injury firm, I would recommend them to anybody across the world, that they are excellent, honest attorneys.

View All

Latest News

• Posted on 10/27/2011Three Injured in Scaffolding Accident in Kansas City
• Posted on 5/13/2011Kansas City Construction Crews on Alert after Two Workers Injured in Crane Accident

View All

FAQs

Construction Accident

• I'm a Kansas City construction worker who was injured on the job; I heard that I can't sue because of Missouri Worker's Compensation law. Is that true?

View All