Team:Liceo Eugenio Hostos/Description

Project Description

One of the biggest economic activities in the world is mining, which uphold many countries since mineral exportation generates huge profits that are useful for their economy development. This sounds great and from the mining point of view is perfect making everyone happy, but here is the problem that has not been boarded. Who does this job? The main job is done by miners who crush, dig, and process the minerals for their commercialization. This job exposes them to plenty of dangers like the inhalation of crystalize silica particle expelled in the mine causing a sickness called silicosis, which consists in an inflammation and cicatrization of the lung tissue preventing the proper oxygenation from the air we breathe causing physical disability and eventually death. The implementation of protection of protection by the miners in their working hours is rarely used and they do not care about the risks. to address this problem, we as LICEO_EUGENIO_HOSTOS iGEM created a genetically modified bacterium that upon contact with silica particles produces red luminescence, in order to alert workers of the presence of silica dust in the environment and raise awareness about the risks to which workers are exposed in the mining.



What is silica?


Measures taken so far to prevent silicosis . There are several measures that employers and workers can take to try to prevent silicosis. These include:

  • Control of widespread exposure to dust, reducing to the minimum the dust present in the workplace.
  • Use of abrasive sandblasting materials that are less dangerous to those that contain crystalline silica.
  • Install controls technicians (localized exhaust ventilation) and methods of containment (Cabinet and jetting machines) to prevent dust from escaping into the air.
  • Educate workers about the effects of dust from silica in health and work techniques appropriate to reduce dust.
  • Wet surfaces before cleaning them.
  • Do not sweep never dry or clean the dust out with compressed air.
  • Carry on breathing masks whenever it is necessary to avoid breathing dust.
  • Realizing that the highest concentrations of silica can be found indoors during tasks such as abrasive blasting or cut with saw bricks, stoneware, etc.
  • Be placed air supply Respirator masks in case of raising too much dust. Bathe or wash and wear clean before leaving the workplace.
  • The key points to prevent silicosis are to reduce the airborne dust containing silica and avoid breathing dust containing silica.
  • Although once it appears there is no cure for this disease, can be prevented completely if employers and employees work together to minimize exposure to silica.


-Symptoms:
  • Symptoms may not appear in the early stages of chronic silicosis. In fact, chronic silicosis may go undetected for 15 to 20 years after exposure. As silicosis progresses, symptoms may include:
  • shortness of breath
  • cough strong
  • weakness

    * Due to the fact that the ability of the body to fight infections can be weakened by the silica into the lungs, it is possible to display other diseases. These symptoms may worsen over time and cause death.


      There are three degrees of silicosis:
      • Chronic Silicosis: usually occurs after 10 years of exposure to low levels of crystalline silica. This is the most common type of silicosis. It was especially in miners.
      • Accelerated silicosis: results from exposure to higher levels of crystalline silica and occurs 5 to 15 years after contact.
      • Acute silicosis: can occur after only weeks or months of being in contact with very high levels of crystalline silica.The lungs are inflamed enough and can fill with fluid, causing a severe shortness of breath and low blood oxygen levels.



        • Source: Centros para el Control y la Prevención de Enfermedades Instituto Nacional para la Seguridad y Salud Ocupacional Paritarios.cl


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