The Determination of α-Cristobalite in Airborne Dust by X-ray Diffraction - Theory and Practice

Abstract

One of the earliest occupational diseases to be recognised was silicosis, a pathological condition of the lungs caused by the inhalation of dust containing free crystalline silica. During the industrial, revolution in the UK the incidence of silicosis rose dramatically; for example in the Sheffield cutlery industry, where dry grinding of knives and forks was practised, the life expectancy of workers was reduced on average by twenty five years. At the present day there is a wide spectrum of industry in which exposure to crystalline silica, may occur; in the UK alone it is estimated that more than 100,000 workers are potentially at risk. The great majority of this exposure is to quarts but cristobalite is also commonly encountered where silica rich materials are subject to very high temperature e.g. ceramics, refractories, brick manufacture. Cristobalite is also found in certain natural deposits including bentonite clay and chert.