The coolies, earth-coloured and mute, crouched reverently some twenty or thirty yards away, and the Babu, the slack of his thin gear snapping like a marking-flag in the chill breeze, stood by with an air of happy proprietorship.
Inhaling crystalline silica can lead to serious, sometimes fatal illnesses including silicosis, lung cancer, tuberculosis (in those with silicosis), and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). In addition, silica exposure has been linked to other illnesses including renal disease and other cancers.
Lead (II) sulfate is also partially soluble in diluted hydrogen chloride and nitric acid. It is soluble in sodium hydroxide and ammonium acetate. Lead (II) sulfate, like all lead compounds, is toxic to humans. It is readily absorbed by the skin and can cause injury to the central nervous system and birth defects. Ingesting large quantities of lead (II) sulfate can cause seizures, coma and even death.