Crystalline Silica: The Science | Safe Silica
Silica is synonymous with silicon dioxide (SiO2). Silicon and oxygen are the two most abundant elements in the earth's crust. Silica is commonly found in nature as sand. Silica exists in many different forms that can be crystalline as well as non-crystalline (amorphous). Crystalline silica is hard, chemically inert and has a high melting point.