Each Year, More Than 200 Workers Die From Silicosis; Laser Photonics' Innovative Technology Is Helping Make This A Thing Of The Past

While manufacturing is essential to our 21st-century world, it can present significant health risks to workers. As a responsible society, it is our duty to continually evaluate the methods we use to increase the safety and health of workers around the globe. One example of a health hazard of manufacturing is silicosis, a progressive and irreversible lung disease caused by the inhalation of crystalline silica dust. 

Historically, sandblasting has been the primary method for industrial cleaning in industries around the world. This process involves using high-pressure air to propel abrasive particles onto the surface of a material to remove coatings, corrosion or other contaminants. The projection of a high-velocity stream of abrasive particles often includes silica sand. Silica sand contains crystalline silica, the known cause of silicosis. Consequently, sandblasting has faced increasing criticism due to the health and safety issues it poses.

When workers are exposed to airborne crystalline silica particles during sandblasting operations, they can inhale the dust, and it can settle deep into the lungs. Over time, this can lead to the development of silicosis. The disease can manifest in different forms, including acute, accelerated and chronic silicosis. Each year in the U.S., more than 200 workers die from this illness while hundreds more become disabled. Many workers with silicosis are only in their thirties and some are as young as 22 years old.

To mitigate the risks associated with sandblasting in manufacturing, it is important to implement proper controls and protective measures like comprehensive exhaust ventilation. However, one company has been working to disrupt the blasting industry, which is set to grow to $12 billion by 2025 according to Reliable Research Reports. Through laser cleaning, industrial professionals eliminate waste disposal costs and problems while avoiding the risk of silicosis sandblasting can pose. 

Laser Photonics Corporation LASE (“LPC”), a leading global industrial pioneer of laser systems, is known for its line of cutting-edge laser cleaning products. With its CDHR and FDA-certified CleanTech systems, LPC provides industry professionals with a laser-blasting solution for corrosion control, coating removal, pre-weld preparation, post-weld treatment, laser cleaning, surface conditioning and more.

Laser Photonics’ CleanTech lasers are known for their advanced technology and safety features that contribute to the company’s reputation as a safer and more accurate option compared to other blasting methods. The CleanTech laser systems operate by concentrating a high-powered laser onto the targeted area for cleaning purposes, and LPC reports that this technology effectively eliminates substances such as rust, corrosion, residue and paint from different materials without causing any harm to the surface beneath. By harnessing the energy released during the laser cleaning process, contaminants are efficiently and precisely removed from substrates – protecting operators from the potential hazards of using harmful chemicals and substances. LPC has been continuing to expand its existing product line to better serve customers in various industries such as energy, nuclear, defense, maritime, shipbuilding and automotive.  

While manufacturing is essential to key industries, the health of workers is paramount to the sustained growth of manufacturing. Laser Photonics’s innovative technology puts workers first while elevating industry standards. Silicosis is a largely preventable disease, and LPC’s forward-thinking processes play a pivotal role in enhancing operator and environmental safety.

Featured photo by Alexander Grey on Unsplash.

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