Table of Contents
Common sand is almost 100% quartz. Fine particles created by cutting and grinding can get deep into the lungs. Most concrete and masonry products contain large amounts of sand. When you inhale the dust, silica particles scar your lungs, causing a disabling, irreversible, and incurable lung disease called silicosis.
Should I wear a mask while cutting concrete?
So what does all this mean? It means that if you work with materials that contain silica and you work in an area where silica can become airborne – due to concrete cutting, grinding, coring, stoning, cement mixing and sweeping, or sandblasting – you need to wear a respirator.
Can concrete dust hurt your lungs?
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.
What disease can you get from cutting concrete?
Silicosis is a long-term lung disease caused by inhaling large amounts of crystalline silica dust, usually over many years. stone masonry and stone cutting – especially with sandstone. construction and demolition – as a result of exposure to concrete and paving materials. worktop manufacturing and fitting.
What happens if you breathe concrete dust?
Inhaling Concrete or Stone Dust Dust from both can carry high volumes of silica, which can travel into your lungs and cause scar tissue or cell necrosis. When enough silica crystals are inhaled over time, lungs can be damaged beyond repair.
What are the symptoms of silicosis?
These commonly include bronchitis-like symptoms such as persistent cough, shortness of breath and difficulty breathing. People also suffer from weakness, fatigue, fever, night sweats, leg swelling and bluish discoloration of the lips.
What mask do I need for cutting concrete?
It’s created by cutting, grinding, drilling, or crushing stone, rock, concrete, brick, mortar and other construction materials. Silica dust poses a direct and serious threat to the health of anyone working near this dust. If you and your team are exposed to silica dust, you’ll need to wear a silica respirator.
Can you get silicosis one exposure?
It is possible to get silicosis from one exposure to a massive concentration of crystalline silica dust without a respirator. This condition is the rarest form of the disease and is called acute silicosis.
How long do people live with silicosis?
The survival times of silicosis stage I , II and III, from the year of diagnosis to death, were 21.5, 15.8 and 6.8 years, respectively. There was 25 % of the silicosis patients whose survival time was beyond 33 y. The mean death age of all silicosis cases was 56.0 y.
Do lungs clean themselves of dust?
Besides macrophages, the lungs have another system for the removal of dust. The lungs can react to the presence of germ-bearing particles by producing certain proteins. These proteins attach to particles to neutralize them. Dusts are tiny solid particles scattered or suspended in the air.
What are the stages of silicosis?
There are three major types of silicosis: acute, chronic, and accelerated. Acute Silicosis occurs after a few months or as long as 2 years after exposures to extremely high concentrations. Signs and symptoms of acute silicosis include shortness of breath, weakness, fever, cough, and weight loss.
What are the chances of getting silicosis?
A recent study of pottery workers found high rates of silicosis, up to 20%, among workers with an average exposure of 0.2 mg/m3 over many years.
Are symptoms of silicosis obvious?
Silicosis typically occurs after 15–20 years of occupational exposure to respirable crystalline silica. Symptoms may or may not be obvious; therefore, workers need to have a chest x-ray to determine if there is lung damage. As the disease progresses, the worker may experience shortness of breath upon exercising.
How long does concrete dust stay in the air?
Because 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.
Does milk help neutralize inhaled dust and toxins?
According to all available scientific findings, milk has absolutely no protective or preventative effect against welding fumes if particulate or gaseous hazardous substances are inhaled.
Can you get sick from construction dust?
Once inhaled, the dust can reduce your lung capacity, increase overall strain on your heart, and cause a variety of diseases. You may also experience irritation in your eyes, nose, throat, skin, and lungs. At first, you may think you’re dealing with allergies or a mild cold, but over time, these symptoms can increase.
Will a chest xray show silicosis?
The chest radiograph is a relatively insensitive and nonspecific tool for diagnosing pneumoconiosis, because silicosis and CWP are virtually indistinguishable on radiologic studies. In addition, the results may cause underestimation or overestimation of the extent of disease.
How do you manage silicosis?
There is no cure for silicosis and once the damage is done it cannot be reversed.This may include: Using a bronchodilator to help relax your air tubes and decrease inflammation. Quitting smoking as soon as possible. Supplemental oxygen may be prescribed to help you get more air into your lungs when needed.
Who is at risk for silicosis?
Who is at risk for silicosis? Factory, mine, and masonry workers are at the greatest risk for silicosis because they deal with silica in their work. People who work in the following industries are at greatest risk: asphalt manufacturing.
Can N95 masks be used for silica?
NIOSH recommends the use of half-facepiece particulate respirators with N95 or better filters for airborne exposures to crystalline silica at concentrations less than or equal to 0.5 mg/m3. A comprehensive respirator program must be instituted prior to the use of 42 CFR 84 respirators.
Do N95 masks protect against lead?
A: Wrong. Dust masks will not prevent you from inhaling lead dust. Use a NIOSH-certified respirator equipped with a HEPA filter or an N95 mask. HEPA filters are always purple.
Is an N95 mask good for concrete dust?
A rating of N95 means that a given mask is guaranteed to filter 95% of particles. These 3M N95 masks can protect against concrete dust and wood shop dust as well as airborne pathogens such as H1N1, influenza, allergies, and swine flu.
