Inhalation of crystalline silica particles can lead to serious health issues, including various forms of cancer. The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) classifies crystalline silica as a Group 1 carcinogen, which means there is sufficient evidence that it can cause cancer in humans. Prolonged exposure can lead to lung cancer, and there are also indications that it may be linked to other cancers such as bladder and kidney cancer.
