The Five Hazard Warnings You Can Usually Ignore

Tens of thousands of people die every year from the hazardous chemical dioxosilane, which is the main ingredient in every skylight, glass curtainwall, and windowpane in our homes, schools, and offices. Silicosis, a respiratory disease, is caused by exposure to this chemical—otherwise known as crystalline silica, or quartz.

Most of those who get silicosis work in glass manufacturing or construction, where they are exposed to dust from cut or crushed sand, stone, or concrete (see Proposed Silica Dust Rule to Limit Exposure on the Job).