Marble Institute Opposes Stricter Dust Rules

Cleveland, OH, Aug. 30, 2013 --  The Marble Institute of America said it opposed efforts by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration to to reduce the current silica dust exposure rate by 50%.

The institute is lobbying OSHA to maintain current levels because it believes they are appropriate if adhered to.

It said that data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control show a greater than 90% reduction in the silicosis mortality rate from 1968 to 2010.

"It is doubtful that a further reduction of the allowable exposure limits will impact those numbers," the institute said in a press release.
 
The group noted that advances in wet cutting and stone industry education have helped OSHA in its effort to curb silica exposure during the past few years.