What disease can you get from cutting concrete?

Silicosis is a long-term lung disease caused by inhaling large amounts of crystalline silica dust, usually over many years.

• stone masonry and stone cutting – especially with sandstone.
• construction and demolition – as a result of exposure to concrete and paving materials.
• worktop manufacturing and fitting.

Can concrete dust hurt your lungs?

Crystalline silica is found in materials such as concrete, masonry and rock. When these mate- rials are made into a fine dust and suspended in the air, breathing in these fine particles can produce lung damage. Silicosis can be totally disabling and may lead to death.

Is it safe to cut concrete?

With a diamond blade and proper safety precautions, you can cut through concrete for your sidewalk, countertop, patio, or DIY project. Whether you want to create a countertop or expand your sidewalk, cutting concrete yourself may not be as daunting as you imagine.

How long do you have to be exposed to silica?

Accelerated silicosis: Results from exposure to higher levels of crystalline silica and occurs 5 to 10 years after exposure. 3. Acute silicosis: Can occur after only weeks or months of exposure to very high levels of crystalline silica. Death occurs within months.

Should I wear a mask while cutting concrete?

It means that if you work with materials that contain silica and you work in an area where silica can become airborne – due to concrete cutting, grinding, coring, stoning, cement mixing and sweeping, or sandblasting – you need to wear a respirator.

Do you need a face shield when cutting concrete?

Workers should always wear protection for their eyes and when needed wearing a face shield may be crucial to avoid a potentially permanent injury. Hazards where face protection, in addition to safety glasses, are found when doing tasks like: Welding. Using a chop saw to cut concrete or rebar.

How long can you live with silicosis?

The survival times of silicosis stage I , II and III, from the year of diagnosis to death, were 21.5, 15.8 and 6.8 years, respectively. There was 25 \% of the silicosis patients whose survival time was beyond 33 y. The mean death age of all silicosis cases was 56.0 y.

How fast can you get silicosis?

What is silicosis and how dangerous is it?

When materials such as concrete, stone, brick, or granite are cut or ground by workers, it can create extremely fine dust particles, which can make their way deep into the lungs if inhaled. These silica dust particles can cause scarring in the lungs, leading to a serious and irreversible lung condition known as silicosis.

What are the dangers of cutting and breaking concrete?

Cutting and breaking concrete is hard work and often requires the use of heavy-duty power saws, jack hammers, grinders, and drills. Since concrete contains quartz, these tools throw silica dust into the air. Hazardous activities include:

What is silica dust and why is it dangerous?

When employees grind or cut concrete, stone, or masonry, fine particles of dust are thrown into the air. This dust contains silica and other materials that can be easily inhaled. Harmful particles can be in the air even if there isn’t any visible dust.

How to reduce silica dust in construction and renovations?

There are a wide variety of techniques that can reduce the amount of silica dust in construction or renovation areas including the use of dust suppressants, spraying with water or mist, fogging or steaming, electrostatic emitters, vacuum filters, surfactants and wetting agents, and more.