What is
Silica?
Respirable Crystalline Silica (RCS) Crystalline silica is found in sand, stone, concrete and mortar. It is also used to make a variety of products including bricks and tiles. When cutting tiles by grinding, sawing, drilling and crushing products that contain crystalline silica, dust particles are generated. These dust particles, know as respirable crystalline silica or silica dust can cause serious health problems if the dust is inhaled or swallowed. The amount of silica in products can vary, check out the SDS for more information. Indicative examples include:
◊ ceramic tiles: 5% to 45% ◊ engineered stone: 80% to 95% ◊ quartzose sandstone: 70% to 90% ◊ granite: 25% to 60% ◊ slate: 20% to 40% ◊ autoclaved aerated concrete: 20% to 40% ◊ concrete: less than 30% ◊ brick: 5% to 15% ◊ pre-mixed adhesives: 0% ◊ power based adhesives: 30% to 50% ◊ sanded grout: 30% to 50% ◊ non-sanded grout: 30% to 50% ◊ waterproofing membranes: 0% to 30% ◊ silicone: 0% ◊ screeds and smoothing compounds: 30% to 50% ◊ primer: 0% Crystalline silica dust can be harmful when it’s inhaled over a long period of time at low to moderate levels, or for short periods at high levels. Product containing silica are safe when left undisturbed, but if you create dust by cutting, drilling or grinding materials that contain silica, breathing the dust can cause silicosis, a form of occupational lung disease caused by inhalation of crystalline silica dust causing inflammation and scarring in the lungs. Silica dust particles under 10µm can get deep into your lungs and stay there, permanently damaging the lung tissue and eventually leading to serious lung diseases in some people. For your health and safety if you are working with tiles, removing an old tile floor or cutting them in any way, you must be using the correct tools with safety controls and the correct PPE to protect yourself.
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