WorkSafe Victoria has a detailed and informative page regarding dust containing crystalline silica, specifically aimed at the construction industry. Crystalline silica is a natural mineral found in construction materials such as concrete, bricks, tiles, mortar and engineered stone. The amount in each material varies but, it is always present and always dangerous.
Some excerpts from the WorkSafe Victoria web page are quoted below:
“Dust containing crystalline silica particles is commonly called silica dust. It can be released when you cut, grind, sand, saw, drill, load, transport, dump or simply disturb materials that contain crystalline silica. Some particles are too small to see and can be inhaled deep into the lungs.”
“Silica dust can be harmful when it’s inhaled into your lungs over a long period of time at low to moderate levels, or short periods at high levels. Exposure can lead to serious diseases, including:
- silicosis – irreversible stiffening of the lungs
- lung cancer
- chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
- kidney disease
Construction workers can be at risk of developing these diseases.”
You can read the full article on the WorkSafe Victoria website. Please note that WorkSafe Victoria is not affiliated with or related to JEA Technologies in any way.