Understanding crystalline silica and silica dust

Crystalline silica is a naturally occurring mineral found in materials like sand, stone, concrete, and engineered stone. It is a key component in many construction and industrial materials, making it common in workplaces such as construction sites, quarries, and manufacturing facilities.

What is Silica Dust?

When materials containing crystalline silica are cut, drilled, ground, or crushed, they release fine, airborne particles known as respirable crystalline silica (RCS) or silica dust. These dust particles are so small that they can be inhaled deep into the lungs, where they pose serious health risks.

Diseases Caused by Silica Dust

Prolonged exposure to silica dust can lead to severe, often irreversible health conditions, including:

·       Silicosis – A progressive, incurable lung disease caused by the buildup of silica particles in the lungs, leading to scarring and breathing difficulties.

·       Lung Cancer – Crystalline silica is classified as a Group 1 carcinogen by the World Health Organization (WHO), meaning it is known to cause cancer in humans.

·       Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) – Long-term exposure can lead to chronic bronchitis and other lung conditions that cause breathlessness and reduced lung function.

·       Kidney Disease & Autoimmune Disorders – Silica exposure has been linked to kidney damage and conditions like rheumatoid arthritis and lupus.

Silica Dust in the Workplace

Workers in industries such as construction, mining, stone cutting, and manufacturing are at high risk of silica dust exposure. To reduce these risks, SafeWork NSW (the regulator) enforces strict regulations, including:

·       Exposure Limits – The Workplace Exposure Standard (WES) for respirable crystalline silica is 0.05 mg/m³ (TWA 8 hours).

·       Engineering Controls – Employers must implement dust suppression methods such as wet cutting, local exhaust ventilation, and enclosed processing.

·       Respiratory Protection – Where engineering controls are not sufficient, workers must use fit-tested P2/N95 respirators.

·       Training and Monitoring – Workplaces must conduct silica awareness training, regular air monitoring, and health surveillance for workers exposed to silica dust.

·       Ban on Engineered Stone – Due to the extreme health risks, from 1 July 2024, the use of engineered stone was banned in NSW.

Confluence Environmental is specialised in silica testing and respirable crystalline silica dust air monitoring. Be sure to reach out to discuss your needs