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Abstract
To estimate the total dose of quartz during the life of a worker, the “lifetime dose,” it is necessary to consider the continuing effect of quartz particles once they are deposited in the alveoli, and the very slow elimination that causes accumulation in the lungs. It is demonstrated that a commonly used formula for “dust summation value” or lifetime exposure may easily give results that are inconsistent with the response (silicosis) and thus unsuitable as a basis for setting a threshold limit value (TLV).
A new simple formula for a lifetime dose is suggested that takes into consideration the accumulated effect of quartz and allows calculation of a sensible TLV either in mg-yr/m3 or in an equivalent constant exposure in mg/m3.
