Silanols explain the lethal toxicity of silica dust
By 
Bárbara Pinho2020-10-29T09:30:00
After decades of ambiguity, scientists have finally discovered what makes silica toxic
Nearly-free silanols – a functional group (R3Si–OH) found in fractured silica particles – are responsible for silica’s toxicity. Understanding what makes silica toxic may allow researchers to explore new avenues to build safer silica.
Almost 60% of the Earth’s crust is made of silica. This natural compound exists in either a crystalline or amorphous form, with quartz being the most abundant source of crystalline silica in the world. Quarry work, mining and sandblasting of this material can produce an airborne silica powder. This powder is hazardous to the health of workers worldwide, and can cause diseases such as lung cancer and silicosis.