Document Type
Capstone Experience
Graduation Date
12-2025
Degree Name
Master of Public Health
Department
Environmental, Agricultural & Occupational Health
First Committee Member
Dr. Matthew Nonnenmann
Second Committee Member
Dr. Terry Stentz
Third Committee Member
Dr. Risto Rautiainen
Abstract
Silica is a hazardous compound that poses a risk to human health resulting from dust creating activities across various industries. Several agencies, including OSHA (Occupational Health and Safety Administration) and MSHA (Mine Safety and Health Administration) have adopted regulatory oversight of silica exposure in the workplace. As more research has been conducted on silica exposure, the health effects are becoming better described, which has led to the creation and updating of exposure regulations to protect worker health. The objective of this literature study is to review the data presented to the Department of Labor and discuss how the factors that influenced the passage of the new silica standard. The specific aims of this review are to examine the rationale for OSHA’s interpretation of the presented data for regulatory changes, identify the factors that affected the passage of the new standard, and discuss the changes in the rulemaking process for regulation change.
Recommended Citation
Medcraft, Skye M., "The Road to Regulation: A Literature Review of the Influences on the Updated Silica Standards" (2025). Capstone Experience: Master of Public Health. 419.
https://digitalcommons.unmc.edu/coph_slce/419
Included in
Environmental Law Commons, Occupational Health and Industrial Hygiene Commons, Policy Design, Analysis, and Evaluation Commons, Risk Analysis Commons