Key facts
- Respirable crystalline silica particles are small enough to reach deep lung tissue.
- Exposure can cause silicosis, lung cancer, COPD and kidney disease.
- Silicosis has no cure, making prevention essential.
- Wet methods, local exhaust and isolation are primary controls.
Work that can release silica
- Cutting, sawing, grinding or drilling concrete and masonry
- Stone countertop fabrication and installation
- Abrasive blasting with silica-containing material
- Mining, crushing, tunnelling and demolition
Health effects
Silica dust can cause scar tissue in the lungs, reducing their ability to take in oxygen. Disease can develop after years of exposure, while very high exposures can cause accelerated or acute silicosis.
Workers may not notice early symptoms. Medical surveillance and occupational-health assessment are important where regulations require them.
Preventing exposure
- Use water-fed tools or local exhaust designed for the task.
- Isolate dusty work and limit access.
- Avoid dry sweeping and compressed-air cleanup where prohibited.
- Verify controls with exposure monitoring and maintain them.
Frequently asked questions
Can silica dust be seen?
The respirable fraction can be too small to see. Visible dust is a warning, but no visible cloud does not prove the air is safe.
Is silicosis curable?
No. OSHA describes silicosis as an incurable lung disease, so preventing exposure is essential.
Does wet cutting eliminate all risk?
Wet methods can greatly reduce airborne dust but must be correctly designed, supplied and maintained; additional controls may still be required.
Sources
This reference was prepared from the following primary public-health and regulatory sources:
- Crystalline Silica: Health EffectsOccupational Safety and Health Administration
- Crystalline Silica Exposure in the Construction IndustryOccupational Safety and Health Administration