Dust entry

Abrasive-blasting silica dust

Respirable crystalline silica dust generated when silica-containing abrasive media are used in blasting operations.

Airborne form

dust

The form describes what is suspended in air at the point of exposure. A material can produce more than one form, such as dust during handling and fume during heating.

Health effects

silicosisaccelerated silicosisacute silicosisrespiratory disease concern

Evidence

NIOSH identifies prolonged inhalation of crystalline-silica-containing dust as a cause of silicosis and identifies sandblasting as a high-risk occupation.

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page 2 · Learning Objectives; Background · 1

Silicosis is a disease caused by exposure to dusts containing crystalline silica. Prolonged inhalation of crystalline silica can cause the lung disease silicosis—a nodular fibrosis of the lungs that causes difficulty breathing. Sandblasting is among the high-risk occupations.

NIOSH describes accelerated and acute silicosis as outcomes associated with high or intense crystalline-silica exposures.

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Abrasive Blasting; Silicosis in Sandblasters · 1

Abrasive blasting can expose workers to respirable crystalline silica when silica-containing abrasive materials are used.

Controls

substitute non-silica abrasive media
containment
local exhaust ventilation
wet abrasive blasting
respiratory protection
exposure monitoring
medical surveillance