Silica Exposure: Why Medical Interpreters Matter
Imagine working to provide for your family, when all of a sudden you get sick from the elements you are exposed to every day. Not only that, you’re not able to comfortably explain all of your symptoms to a doctor and get the help you need to stop the progression in its tracks. This isn’t just a hypothetical scenario. It’s an unfortunate reality for many in the United States and abroad. There is one mineral in particular that, as of late, has been posing a threat in the healthcare industry: Silica.
What Is Silica and Why Is It Dangerous?
Silica, or silicon dioxide, is a natural mineral found in stone, soil, sand, and many construction materials. When these materials are disturbed during activities like cutting, grinding, or drilling, they release crystalline silica dust, a specific form that is harmful when inhaled. Inhaling this can lead to lung cancer, kidney damage, autoimmune diseases, tuberculosis, and even silicosis, a progressive and irreversible lung disease causing shortness of breath, cough, and fatigue.
Who’s at Risk?
Workers in industries like construction, mining, manufacturing, and sandblasting are at a higher risk of coming into contact with silica. A large portion of the workers in these industries are individuals with limited English proficiency (LEP). This language barrier can prevent them from fully understanding health and safety training, identifying workplace hazards, or correctly reporting symptoms. In these instances, their freedom to express themselves needs to be protected.
Why Certified Medical Interpreters Make a Difference
For workers exposed to silica, a timely diagnosis alongside preventative measures can mean the difference between long-term health and irreversible illness. Without a professional interpreter, critical information can be lost in translation, leading to delayed diagnoses, inappropriate treatments, and continued exposure to hazards. Certified medical interpreters bridge the gap between providers and patients by allowing both parties to freely and accurately express their ideas without fear of miscommunication. They facilitate the precise exchange of symptoms, medical history, and treatment plans, ensuring patients receive the care they need to protect their health.
Look No Further
Don’t let language barriers put your workers’ health at risk. Kaplan Interpreting Services provides certified, HIPAA-compliant medical interpreters who are ready to serve your patients and protect your team.
Ready to ensure clear communication and safeguard your workforce? Visit our website today for a free quote and discover how Kaplan Interpreting Services can support your clinic or workplace with trusted language access solutions.
CEO & Founder
Born in Dallas, Texas, Alexandra grew up surrounded by Spanish, English, Arabic, and Italian. After moving to Venezuela, Spanish became her primary language. She holds a Master's in Healthcare Administration from Washington University in St. Louis and is a California court certified and medical interpreter.
She founded Kaplan Interpreting Services after seeing an industry that treated interpreters as interchangeable and clients as ticket numbers. She built a protocol-driven operation where every interpreter is hand-selected and credentialed for the specific setting, every client has a dedicated point of contact, and risk management is built into every assignment.
Her career reached a historic milestone when she interpreted the conversation between President-elect Biden and Pope Francis. That assignment, along with engagements for Nike and the Summit of the Americas, set the standard for every client engagement that followed.
"The same protocols that protected that historic conversation now protect every assignment we handle."