Controlling Respirable Quartz Dust in Sand-Blasting: Role of Sand Particle Size and a Dust Suppression Agent

Details

• Personal Author:
  Greskevich, Mark F. ; Nelson J ; Soderholm S
• Description:
  Abrasive blasting with sand can generate high concentrations of respirable quartz dust to which workers can be exposed. Overexposure to such dust can lead to the development of silicosis, a potentially deadly lung disease. Abrasive blasting is prevalent in construction, automotive, and shipbuilding industries and is often used for cleaning. The process involves using high-pressure air to blast abrasive media against the surface to be cleaned. The impact against a hard surface causes the particles to fracture. If the particles are small enough, they can become airborne dust, easily spread by the air pressure generated by the abrasive blaster. Data from a previously described abrasive blasting laboratory study were analyzed to determine which experimental parameters correlated with lower respirable quartz dust concentrations. The blasting process was performed on 2-foot square steel plates with air samplers placed in locations around the testing area and on the operator. Some of the sands were treated with a commercial dust-suppressing agent. Analysis of the samples indicate that sands with initial larger particle sizes create higher levels of respirable quartz dust than sands with the lowest particle sizes (average particle size by sieve analysis <0.45 mm). The dust suppressant appears more effective in reducing respirable quartz concentrations when used on sands with the lowest initial particle sizes (>50% reduction). Sands with smaller initial particle sizes have similar consumption rates and cleaning rates when compared to those with larger initial particle sizes. According to the hierarchy of controls, substituting a less toxic material for sand in abrasive blasting should be considered. However, if sand is to be used, these data suggest that respirable quartz airborne concentrations might be reduced without sacrificing cleaning rate or increasing sand consumption by selecting abrasive sands with small initial particle sizes and adding a commercial dust suppressant. [Description provided by NIOSH]
• Subjects:
  Air Pollutants, Occupational Automobiles Construction Industry Dust Lung Lung Diseases Occupational Health Particulate Matter Quartz Respiratory System Respiratory Tract Diseases Safety Ships Silicon Dioxide Workplace

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• Keywords:
  Abrasive Blasting Airborne Dusts Automotive Industry Blasting Agents Construction Construction Industry Dust Exposure Dusts Exposure Limits Lung Disease Particulate Dust Particulates Quartz Dust Respirable Dust Respiratory Irritants Sand Blasting Shipyard Industry Silicosis Work Environment Workers

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• Publisher:
  American Industrial Hygiene Association
• Document Type:
  Text
• Genre:
  Abstract or Summary
• Place as Subject:
  Louisiana ; OSHA Region 3 ; OSHA Region 6 ; Virginia ; West Virginia
• CIO:
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
• Division:
  HELD - Health Effects Laboratory Division ; DRDS - Division of Respiratory Disease Studies
• Topic:
  Workplace Safety & Health
• Location:
  North America
• Pages in Document:
  55-56
• NIOSHTIC Number:
  nn:20021401
• Citation:
  American Industrial Hygiene Conference and Exposition, June 2-7, 2001, New Orleans, Louisiana. Fairfax, VA: American Industrial Hygiene Association, 2001 Jun; :55-56
• CAS Registry Number:
  Quartz (SiO2) (CAS RN 14808-60-7)
• Federal Fiscal Year:
  2001
• Peer Reviewed:
  False
• Source Full Name:
  American Industrial Hygiene Conference and Exposition, June 2-7, 2001, New Orleans, Louisiana
• Collection(s):
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
• Main Document Checksum:
  urn:sha-512:14ec35ca8f6d1b4bc79528e4faa01bc0fb2e39bd14872c3263fb54548c588d777956e48805f771a0edaa8eb60e0f49af8a141203e4f73d679758d33823fd83f6
• Download URL:
  https://stacks.cdc.gov/view/cdc/198735/cdc_198735_DS1.pdf
• File Type:
  [PDF - 2.11 MB ]