Potential risk of occupational exposure to respirable crystalline silica in Saudi Arabia: a comprehensive review of the current status and future challenges.
- 1Department of Environmental Health, College of Public Health, Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, Dammam, Saudi Arabia.
Abstract
Respirable crystalline silica (RCS) is a major occupational health hazard associated with silicosis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), lung cancer, autoimmune diseases, and other systemic disorders. Saudi Arabia is undergoing rapid industrial expansion in sectors with substantial potential for RCS exposure, including mining, construction, cement production, glass manufacturing, oil and gas, engineered stone fabrication, and photovoltaic manufacturing. This review evaluates the potential risk of occupational RCS exposure in Saudi Arabia by integrating evidence from the scientific literature, government reports, labor and mining statistics, mineralogical data, and regulatory documents. The novel silica Hazard triangle framework was applied to assess three principal determinants of occupational exposure: workforce distribution, silica-containing materials, and high-risk industrial activities. Saudi Arabia possesses extensive reserves of high-purity silica sand, and continued expansion of mining and downstream silica-based industries may increase occupational exposure potential. The kingdom's arid climate may also contribute to dust generation and increase the occupational exposure of RCS. Although documented cases of silicosis confirm that silica-related disease exists in Saudi Arabia, published evidence on occupational exposure assessment, epidemiology, and health surveillance remains limited. International regulatory developments demonstrate the importance of health-based occupational exposure limits (OELs), exposure monitoring, engineering controls, and medical surveillance. Current Saudi labor law, National Council for occupational safety and health (NCOSH) policies, and General Organization for Social Insurance (GOSI) occupational disease frameworks provide an important legal and institutional foundation for the future development of silica-specific occupational health regulations. This review identifies important knowledge gaps and highlights the need for comprehensive exposure assessment, strengthened industrial hygiene capacity, and evidence-based regulatory strategies to reduce the future burden of silica-related diseases while supporting sustainable industrial development in Saudi Arabia.
Related
- Psychological Burden and Mental Health Challenges Associated with Occupational Exposure to Zoonotic Pathogens: A Narrative Review and One Health Perspective
- Chemical risk perception among healthcare workers: formaldehyde exposure as a model for occupational prevention challenges
- Protecting the invisible health workforce: experiences and occupational safety challenges of facial protective equipment use among central sterile supply department workers
- Artificial Intelligence in Civil Engineering a Comprehensive Review of Applications, Challenges, and Future Directions
- Comparative analysis of metal concentrations in respirable particles and nanoparticulate matter (NPM) from mild steel, aluminum, and stainless steel welding fumes
BibTeX
@article{alquwayi2026potential,
title = {{Potential risk of occupational exposure to respirable crystalline silica in Saudi Arabia: a comprehensive review of the current status and future challenges.}},
author = {Salman Alquwayi},
journal = {Frontiers in public health},
year = {2026},
month = oct,
doi = {10.3389/fpubh.2026.1918362},
url = {https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42898932},
note = {CC BY},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Potential risk of occupational exposure to respirable crystalline silica in Saudi Arabia: a comprehensive review of the current status and future challenges.
AU - Salman Alquwayi
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/10/05
JO - Frontiers in public health
DO - 10.3389/fpubh.2026.1918362
UR - https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42898932
AB - Respirable crystalline silica (RCS) is a major occupational health hazard associated with silicosis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), lung cancer, autoimmune diseases, and other systemic disorders. Saudi Arabia is undergoing rapid industrial expansion in sectors with substantial potential for RCS exposure, including mining, construction, cement production, glass manufacturing, oil and gas, engineered stone fabrication, and photovoltaic manufacturing. This review evaluates the potential risk of occupational RCS exposure in Saudi Arabia by integrating evidence from the scientific literature, government reports, labor and mining statistics, mineralogical data, and regulatory documents. The novel silica Hazard triangle framework was applied to assess three principal determinants of occupational exposure: workforce distribution, silica-containing materials, and high-risk industrial activities. Saudi Arabia possesses extensive reserves of high-purity silica sand, and continued expansion of mining and downstream silica-based industries may increase occupational exposure potential. The kingdom's arid climate may also contribute to dust generation and increase the occupational exposure of RCS. Although documented cases of silicosis confirm that silica-related disease exists in Saudi Arabia, published evidence on occupational exposure assessment, epidemiology, and health surveillance remains limited. International regulatory developments demonstrate the importance of health-based occupational exposure limits (OELs), exposure monitoring, engineering controls, and medical surveillance. Current Saudi labor law, National Council for occupational safety and health (NCOSH) policies, and General Organization for Social Insurance (GOSI) occupational disease frameworks provide an important legal and institutional foundation for the future development of silica-specific occupational health regulations. This review identifies important knowledge gaps and highlights the need for comprehensive exposure assessment, strengthened industrial hygiene capacity, and evidence-based regulatory strategies to reduce the future burden of silica-related diseases while supporting sustainable industrial development in Saudi Arabia.
SN - 2296-2565
ER -