HSE reports that sandstone, gritstone, and quartzite can contain more than 70% silica and identifies cutting, drilling, quarrying, and stoneworking as RCS-generating tasks.
Source: UK HSE: Silicosis — causes and risk controls ↗Dust entry
Sandstone dust
Stone dust that can contain high percentages of silica and become respirable during cutting or grinding.
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
silicosislung cancerCOPDloss of lung function
Evidence
Controls
- wet cutting
- local exhaust ventilation
- isolation
- exposure monitoring
- appropriate respiratory protection