A NIOSH health-hazard evaluation at a brick plant identified very fine ball-clay dust during rail-hopper unloading and reported that the clay contained approximately 10% respirable free silica, recommending dust controls and silica-protective respirators.
Source: CDC/NIOSH: HETA 80-086-1191 — Brick-manufacturing ball-clay dust evaluation ↗Dust entry
Ball-clay brick-manufacturing dust
Fine ball-clay particulate released during unloading, milling, forming, grinding, and sizing of bricks and refractory products.
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
respiratory irritationrespirable crystalline-silica exposuresilicosis concernskin exposure concern
Evidence
Controls
- sealed hopper connections
- local exhaust ventilation
- dust collection
- wet or controlled cleaning
- exposure monitoring
- appropriate respiratory protection