There are three main types of construction dust:
- Silica dust – created when working on materials containing silica. ...
- Wood dust – created when working on softwood, hardwood and wood-base products like MDF and plywood
- Lower toxicity dusts – created when working on materials containing little or no silica. ...
What are the different types of dust on construction sites?
The three main types of dust encountered on construction sites are: Silica dust: Created when working on materials that contain silica, such as concrete, mortar and sandstone . Wood dust: Created when working on softwood, hardwood, and wood-based products such as MDF and plywood .
How dangerous is construction dust?
Construction dust can be a significant problem for many people. Airborne dust can cause a wide range of health and lung problems for construction workers, but it also creates a concern for people living near construction sites.
How do you control dust on a construction site?
Construction sites can also use dust catchers on equipment, put sweepings in a bag or box before disposal and install dust screens around the construction site’s edge to limit the amount of dust blowing in or out of the site. Water is a great way to control dust and reduce debris from flying through the air.
What are some common tasks that produce high levels of dust?
There are many routine tasks on a construction site that are capable of producing high levels of dust: Cutting paving blocks, kerbs and flags. Chasing concrete and raking mortar . Dry sweeping site areas . Cutting roofing tiles . Scabbling or grinding concrete or other construction materials . Soft strip demolition . Cutting and sanding wood .
What happens when you inhale construction dust?
Crystalline silica is found in materials such as concrete, masonry and rock. When these mate- rials are made into a fine dust and suspended in the air, breathing in these fine particles can produce lung damage. Silicosis can be totally disabling and may lead to death.
Is construction dust safe?
Exposure to respirable crystalline silica dust during construction activities can cause silicosis — a serious and potentially fatal respiratory disease — but employers and workers can take practical steps to reduce risks, according to an Alert released by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH ...
How far does construction dust travel?
When older homes are demolished, the resulting dust may be distributed as far as 600 feet from the jobsite.
How do you clean up construction dust?
The Best Way to Clean Up Post-Construction DustFace masks.A vacuum (plus an extra filter or two)Dust mops or towels.A broom, plus dust mop treatment.A mop.Cleaner for your specific floor material.Soft towels.Used dryer sheets.
How long does construction dust stay in the air?
12 daysBecause of its small particle size, it can stay in the air for up to 12 days. Sometimes, when we don't see dust, we might still smell it e.g. if a room smells “like concrete” cement can be circulating in the air.
How long does construction dust take to settle?
Particles of 15µm–100µm in diameter (inhalable) can settle within 1 minute; in larger rooms, air volume will extend the time needed for settling. Particles less than 10µm in diameter (thoracic) will take about 3 minutes to settle.
Will an air purifier help with construction dust?
Air purifiers can also make a big improvement to air quality during construction. Because of the heavy load from all the dust and fumes, Blueair Pro air purifiers are a good option. These air purifiers offer powerful air purification performance in a small space.
Can dust from remodeling make you sick?
When remodeling an older home, you may be wondering if it's the renovation that's making you sick. You can get sick from remodeling a home if exposed to harmful chemicals or substances, such as construction dust, mold, mildew, or lead paint. Inhaling these materials can damage your lungs, and eventually make you sick.
How do you remove construction dust from walls?
Wipe walls with a soft damp towel to collect dust and to wipe it away. For hard-to-reach areas wrap the towel around the bottom of your broom and secure it with tape. If your walls were painted recently, avoid using anything moist as it may damage the paint. Let the walls dry for about 30 days before cleaning.
How do I clean my house after construction?
Clean-up steps after renovating:Sweep and vacuum all surfaces, including ceilings and walls.Sweep, mop, and disinfect floors.Vacuum all upholstery.Wipe down doors, knobs, baseboards, moldings, and hardware.Thorough wipe-down and sanitization of bathrooms and kitchens (including appliances, cabinets, and counters)More items...•
How do I clean my house after building work?
Remove any rubble or debris that's been left behind with a dustpan and brush or a broom. ... Vaccum your carpets and upholstery straight away to avoid dirt accumulating and staining. ... Clean wooden, laminate, stone or tiled flooring with a gentle floor cleaner mixed with warm water to removed the surface dirt.More items...•
How harmful is cement dust?
Cement industry is involved in the development of structure of this advanced and modern world but generates dust during its production. Cement dust causes lung function impairment, chronic obstructive lung disease, restrictive lung disease, pneumoconiosis and carcinoma of the lungs, stomach and colon.
How do you clean fine dust after remodeling?
The best way to clean fine dust is to use a damp microfiber cloth. If you get the dust too wet it will turn to mud rather than sticking to the cloth, so make sure to wring the cloth out until it's barely damp. You just want to pick up the dust with the cloth, not soak it.
How do you remove concrete dust from your lungs?
You can get concrete dust out of your lungs by: Opening the airways and helps the lungs expel mucus by breathing water vapour, which is known as steam treatment or steam inhalation.
Will an air purifier help with construction dust?
Air purifiers can also make a big improvement to air quality during construction. Because of the heavy load from all the dust and fumes, Blueair Pro air purifiers are a good option. These air purifiers offer powerful air purification performance in a small space.
What is construction dust?
‘ Construction dust ’ includes a number of different types of dusts that are commonly generated on construction sites. They can be dirty and cause nuisance, but can also be seriously damaging to health, sometimes with long-term implications.
How does dust affect construction workers?
Dust builds up in the lungs and while the effects may not immediately be obvious, over a prolonged period of time, exposure to high levels of dust can lead to permanent damage to the lungs and airways. Some of the dust-related diseases that most affect construction workers include:
How many construction workers die from silica dust?
The Health and Safety Executive ( HSE) estimate that more than 500 construction workers a year are believed to die from exposure to silica dust .
How often should you test a dust extraction system?
A thorough examination and test of any on- tool extraction system should be carried out at least every 14 months.
What is silica dust?
Silica dust: Created when working on materials that contain silica, such as concrete, mortar and sandstone .
What is COSHH in construction?
The Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002 ( COSHH) regulate activities that may expose workers to construction dust. It provides a legal duty for employers to prevent or adequately control worker exposure, and requires that risks are assessed and controlled and that controls are reviewed.
What tools produce dust?
High- energy tools like cut-off saws, grinders and grit blasters produce a lot of dust in a very short time. Dust will build up depending on how enclosed with working area is. The longer the work takes the more dust there will be. Risks are increased by regularly doing the same work day after day.
How does dust affect construction workers?
Construction dust can seriously damage the health of construction workers and if exposed for longer times can eventually even kill them. About 22,000 to 52,000 persons per year are dying due to inhaling polluted air in USA alone – most of whom are construction workers. In Great Britain, over 500 construction workers are believed to die every year from lung cancer. America and Europe have enacted rules to mitigate the effects of dust.
What are the effects of construction dust?
Many of us living in busy metros like Delhi, Mumbai, Pune, Kolkata, Chennai, or Bangalore might have experienced the effects of construction dust in the form of sneezing, heaviness in breathing or coughing, reddening or itching eyes, etc. In rapidly industrializing and urbanizing cities, smoke and dust are created due to the exhaust fumes from vehicles, smoke from factories, and dust from construction sites. According to Rakesh Kumar, Director, National Environmental Engineering and Research Institute (NEERI), the main factors contributing to Mumbai’s high air pollution (64 μg/m 3 of PM2.5 and 104 μg/m 3 of PM10 levels) is construction activity (which accounts for 30% of dust particles), followed by vehicular emissions. In addition, natural dust also plays a part.
What industries are exposed to silica dust?
4), masonry work, jack hammering, tunneling, road milling/laying, mixing of cement and concrete involving fine particles of cement, fly ash, and silica fumes)]; (b) Mining dust (produced while cutting or drilling through sandstone and granite); Stone crushing dust (produced while making aggregates/manufactured sand for concrete or roads); (c) Agate polishing dust, (d) Dust due to Cement/brick manufacturing (it is interesting to note that the Central Government is planning to ban use of burnt clay bricks in its construction projects across the country); (e) Foundry dust (grinding, mouldings, shakeout, core room); (f) Ceramics, clay, and pottery du st; (g) Stone cutting/sawing dust (abrasive blasting, chipping, grinding) (Fig. 5); and (h) Glass manufacturing dust.
What is the exposure to crystalline silica?
As per www.osha.gov, exposure to respirable crystalline silica can occur during common construction tasks, such as using masonry saws, grinders, drills, jack-hammers and hand-held powered chipping tools; operating vehicle-mounted drilling rigs; milling; operating crushing machines; using heavy equipment for demolition or certain other tasks; and during abrasive blasting and tunneling operations. In USA alone about two million construction workers are exposed to respirable crystalline silica in over 600,000 workplaces.
What is the source of dust?
The drilling / sawing of timbers, tiles, stones, glass, metals, asbestos, etc., generate very fine and extremely hazardous dust. Huge amounts of fine dust is also generated and inhaled in demolition sites (Fig. 6), excavations or sites where rock mass is blasted/broken, dry sand is loaded/unloaded, dried bentonite mud is used during piling works, etc. Yet another source of dust generation is the mud sticking to the tyres of construction vehicles. Such vehicles, (if tyres are not washed regularly) spread the mud on city roads, which gets converted to dust, after drying.
How does the construction industry affect the economy?
It also has a significant impact on the health and safety of workers. The construction industry is both economically and socially important. In construction, workers perform a great diversity of activities, each one with a specific associated risk. The worker who carries out a task is directly exposed to its associated risks and passively exposed to risks produced by nearby co-workers. In India, the profit margins of the construction sector are very slick as compared to the investments; mostly illiterate village farmers join the construction sector as workers/foremen. Due to illiteracy, there is no awareness about environmental rules/regulations and human rights; the workers are highly deprived and under privileged in most of the construction companies.
Do construction workers in India have helmets?
No one really cares about the health and safety of construction workers in India and the maximum protection given is the helmet. As mentioned earlier, those engaged as construction workers are uneducated and hence may not even be aware of the dangers, and the materials they are handling, which may pose health hazards. In addition to solid dust particles in the fumes, there may be gases, which are collectively called VOCs (volatile organic compounds), when they are handling paints and other petroleum-based products.
What are the different types of construction dust?
The factsheet describes three main kinds of construction dust: silica-containing, wood dust and lower toxicity dusts, but recommends controlling exposures to all construction dusts. Construction dust is not just a nuisance; it can seriously damage your health and some types can eventually even kill.
What are the health risks of dust?
Health risks. Anyone who breathes in these dusts should know the damage they can do to the lungs and airways. The main dust-related diseases affecting construction workers are: lung cancer; silicosis; chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD); asthma.
What is silica dust?
silica dust – created when working on silicacontaining materials like concrete, mortar and sandstone (also known as respirable crystalline silica or RCS); wood dust – created when working on softwood, hardwood and wood-based products like MDF and plywood;
How to stop dust from getting into the air?
In these cases the most important action is to stop the dust getting into the air. There are two main ways of doing this: Water – water damps down dust clouds. However, it needs to be used correctly. This means enough water supplied at the right levels for the whole time that the work is being done.
What is an on tool extraction?
On-tool extraction – removes dust as it is being produced. It is a type of local exhaust ventilation (LEV) system that fits directly onto the tool. This ‘system’ consists of several individual parts – the tool, capturing hood, extraction unit and tubing. Use an extraction unit to the correct specification (ie H (High) M (Medium) or L (Low) Class filter unit). Don’t just use a general commercial vacuum.
Why is dust so high?
High dust levels are caused by one or more of the following: task – the more energy the work involves, the bigger the risk. High-energy tools like cut-off saws, grinders and grit blasters produce a lot of dust in a very short time; work area – the more enclosed a space, the more the dust will build up.
Why are construction workers at risk?
Construction workers have a high risk of developing these diseases because many common construction tasks can create high dust levels.
What is the name of the dust from a construction site?
When it comes to construction site dust, one of those terms is “respirable silica.”. This is essentially a dust from any type of quartz, which is a common mineral that can be released into the air when working with a wide range of materials. Typical dust from a construction site includes silica dust, which is created when working ...
How to control dust from construction?
But it takes dedication and persistence. Employers can protect their staff by using wet methods to apply water at the point where dust is being made. Applying water at the point of contact creates a sludge that is easier to control and contain than dust in the air. This is often the most-used choice for controlling dust, because it is both affordable and easy to implement. Water can be applied to the point of sawing or grinding, and sometimes water is sprayed over entire construction sites to control dust from dirt, which is often exposed due to construction activities
What are the Dangers of Construction Site Dust?
Dust at a construction site can take many different forms, and the materials released into the air can be made of rock, wood, chemicals, and even metal, creating a potentially lethal dust that can spread for a very long distance.
What is drywall mud?
For example, an evaluation from the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) found that construction workers who sand drywall joint compound (the plaster used to cover drywall joints, often called “drywall mud”) were exposed to respirable silica and other dust particles.
What is the most common type of dust that is produced by construction sites?
Typical dust from a construction site includes silica dust, which is created when working with materials that contain silica, including concrete and sandstone. Wood dust is another common type created by construction sites. When working with either hard or soft wood, dust particles can be released into the air. Wood dust also comes from manufactured products such as fiberboard and plywood. Dust will also come from lower-toxicity materials, such as gypsum, limestone, dolomite, and marble.
How does a wood dust suction work?
The suction point stays close to the point of operation, removing the dust instantly after it is created and stores it in bags or containers. This is a common method for controlling wood dust, but it can be used during other tasks. Air filtering respirators can also be used in construction sites.
What is the danger of construction?
A danger facing construction workers (and nearby homes) comes from respirable crystalline silica, which is a common mineral found in many building materials, including stone and sand. If someone works with these materials, they can be exposed to a small amount of silica particles, which are extremely small and can easily be inhaled. (Meaning they are “respirable.”)
How to clean construction dust from walls?
If your question is how to clean construction dust from walls, you’re not alone. Wipe walls with a soft damp towel to collect dust and to wipe it away. For hard to reach areas wrap the towel around the bottom of your broom and secure it with tape.
What are some ways to remove construction dust?
Floors. 1. Gather Materials. Having the proper materials to remove construction dust is key! You can clean as you go and avoid multiple trips to your local home improvement store. Air filters. Used dryer sheets.
How to keep dust out of ducts?
Check and replace the air filters. This will trap dust before it enters the air ducts and prevent it from spreading to other areas of your home. Check the filters often and replace them as needed. During construction you may want to change weekly. Replace again after construction is completed. This will also remove any of the trapped dust that has accumulated in the filters. Being proactive with the filters will ensure that your home is safe for you and your family.
What is buildclean air filter?
We love using BuildClean, which is an air filter cleaner, but it’s different from the usual dust fans and vacuums. It minimizes the migration of dust throughout a home during remodel by “scrubbing” the air that passes through it.
What happens if you inhale silica dust?
If you and your neighbors inhale silica particles found in the dust, you could experience short-term and even long-term respiratory problems , said E. Neil Schachter, the Maurice Hexter Professor of Pulmonary Medicine at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai.
Can dust cause shortness of breath?
An otherwise healthy person may experience coughing, shortness of breath and mucus. The dust could also exacerbate underlying health conditions like allergies, asthma or cardiovascular disease, requiring treatment that could outlast the pointing work. And if water seeps into cracks in the brick and infiltrates the building, bacteria and mold could grow, leading to chronic allergic conditions, Dr. Schachter said.
Introduction
Types of Dust
- The three main types of dust encountered on construction sitesare: 1. Silica dust: Created when working on materials that contain silica, such as concrete, mortar and sandstone. 2. Wood dust: Created when working on softwood, hardwood, and wood-based products such as MDF and plywood. 3. Lower toxicity dusts: Created when working on materials contai...
Health Risks
- Dust builds up in the lungs and while the effects may not immediately be obvious, over a prolonged period of time, exposure to high levels of dust can lead to permanent damage to the lungs and airways. Some of the dust-related diseases that most affect construction workersinclude: 1. Lung cancer. 2. Silicosis. 3. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). 4…
Nuisance
- Construction dust is a potential cause of nuisance to neighbours. Reasonable precautions that might be taken to reduce or avoid nuisance in constructionmight include: 1. Keeping neighboursinformed. 2. Providing a help line so that problems can be reported. 3. Storing fine materialsunder cover. 4. Damping fine materialsand roadways. 5. Minimising demolition or crus…
Assessing The Risks
- There are a number of factors that will contribute to risksfrom dust: 1. Risk is increased with the more energy that the work involves. High-energy tools like cut-off saws, grinders and grit blasters produce a lot of dustin a very short time. 2. Dust will build up depending on how enclosed with working areais. 3. The longer the work takes the more dustthere will be. 4. Risksare increased b…
Reviewing The Controls
- It is important that as well as assessing the risks and putting controls in place, regular reviews are held to ensure that they are working correctly. Procedures should be put in place to ensure that dust-producing work is being done correctly and in the safestpossible way. Equipment must be maintained appropriately, with RPE filters changed regularly. A thorough examination and test o…
Related Articles on Designing Buildings
Construction Dust
Health Risks
- Anyone who breathes in these dusts should know the damage they can do to the lungs and airways. The main dust-related diseases affecting construction workers are: 1. lung cancer; 2. silicosis; 3. chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD); 4. asthma. Some lung disease, like advanced silicosis or asthma, can come on quite quickly. Figure 1Common tasks like cutting ca…
The Law
- The Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002 (COSHH) cover activities which may expose workers to construction dust. There are three key things you need to do: 1. Assess (the risks) 2. Control (the risks) 3. Review (the controls)
Assess
- Assess the risks linked to the work and materials. Examples of high-risk tasks are listed in Table 1. High dust levels are caused by one or more of the following: 1. task – the more energy the work involves, the bigger the risk. High-energy tools like cut-off saws, grinders and grit blasters produce a lot of dust in a very short time; 2. work area – the more enclosed a space, the more the dust wi…
Control
- Use the following measures to control the risk. Examples of controls for common high-risk tasks are given in Table 1.
Review
- You may already have the right controls in place, but are they all working properly? Check the controls work by: 1. having procedures to ensure that work is done in the right way; 2. checking controls are effective. Does the work still seem dusty? You might need to carry out dust exposure monitoring; 3. involving workers. They can help identify problems and find solutions; 4. maintaini…
References
- 1 Toxic woods Woodworking Information Sheet WIS30(rev1) HSE Books 2012 www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/wis30.htm
Further Information
- Further information on dust and other construction health risks can be found at www.hse.gov.uk/construction/healthtopics/index.htm For information about health and safety, or to report inconsistencies or inaccuracies in this guidance, visit www.hse.gov.uk/. You can view HSE guidance online and order priced publications from the website. HSE priced publications ar…