The U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit has dismissed industry challenges to OSHA’s new silica dustexposure standard, ruling that the agency’s decision to lower permissible worker exposure from 250 micrograms to 50 micrograms per cubic meter of air over an average of eight hours was reasonable.
The rule, which went into effect September 23, 2017, affects an estimated 2.3 million workers, many in the construction and manufacturing industries. Workers who inhale silica dust are at increased risk of developing silicosis, an incurable lung disease that can lead to disability and death; lung cancer; chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD); and kidney disease.