







The latency of health effects from exposure to Respirable Crystalline Silica (RCS) is in the range of 10 to 30 years, however, the period may vary with the level and duration of exposure. However, in situations where exposure is very high, signs of diseases including acute silicosis may be observed within a few weeks to months. The delayed effects of silica include chronic silicosis, lung cancer and COPD which may develop after many years.