The good, better and best respirators for crystalline silica dust
These are all symptoms of silicosis:
- weakness
- coughing
- fever, and
- shortness of breath.
Silicosis is an occupational lung disease caused by inhaling crystalline silica dust. It causes inflammation and scarring in the upper nodes of the lungs – and it’s a lot more common than you think.
What is crystalline silica?
Quartz is one of the most common forms of crystalline silica. It's one of the most common minerals in the world. It's found in a lot of materials you'd find in construction and landscaping.
Silica is common in:
- brick
- mortar
- soil
- sand
- concrete
- rock
- granite, and
- masonry and landscaping materials.
When you disturb these materials -- for instance, sawing, grinding or drilling -- you create tiny crystalline silica dust particles.
When inhaled, these dust particles embed into your lungs. This can lead to silicosis, lung cancer and lung disease.
It only takes a very small amount of silica dust in the atmosphere to create a health hazard.
Who is the most affected?
Silica dust is common in the mining industry. It's generated during cutting and stone extraction and can be trapped in the ventilating air.
It's also a concern in construction settings involving cement production and handling -- like emptying or disposing of bags -- and concrete cutting.
Other industries where silica dust is a concern:
- oil and gas engineering
- masonry
- asphalt manufacturing
- demolition
- foundry
- abrasive blasting
- quarries.
How to reduce exposure:
There are a few different ways you can limit your exposure to crystalline silica dust, including:
- Using less hazardous substitutes
- Using engineering controls
- Changing work practices to reduce exposure (administrative controls)
- Using the correct personal protective equipment (PPE)
Choosing the right respiratory protection:
We've split the options for respiratory protection into good, better and best.
Disposable respirators (good)
Pros:
- Economical
- Lightweight
- Universal fitting, some models available in multiple sizes
- Made from electrostatic non-woven polypropylene polyester fibre
- Latex-free and hypoallergenic
Cons:
- Daily consumption rate can be high when working in high heat or humid conditions
- Difficult to fit check when entering hazardous application
- Can cause fogging on safety or prescription eyewear
- Can cause nose bridge irritation
- May not fit well with ponytails or hair up in a bun
- More expensive in the long run as you need to constantly replace
- Large environmental impact -- creates more waste
Reusable N95 half-mask respirators (better)
Pros:
- N95 filters protect against non-oil-based particulate aerosols
- Replaces disposable respirators
- Made from silicone for comfort
- No hotter than wearing a disposable style respirator
- Provides an airtight seal
- Available in small, medium and large
- Easy to fit check before entering a hazardous work area
- Less waste
- Economical due to reduced filter consumption
Cons:
- Requires cleaning and maintenance
Reusable half-mask respirator with P100 cartridges (best):
Pros:
- Features the same benefits of the ‘better’ option
- P100 cartridge eliminates 99.97% of dust particle versus 95% for 95 rated filter
- Offers greater protection versus N, R, P-95 rated filters
Cons:
- Requires cleaning and maintenance
Silica dust exposure limits:
The time-weighted average exposure of a worker to airborne silica must be reduced to the lowest practical level and in any event must not exceed:
- In the case of cristobalite, 0.05 Mg/m³
- In the case of quartz and tripoli, 0.10 Mg/m³
If you aren’t able to engineer out crystalline silica hazards, protect your employees by providing them with fit testing for the appropriate respiratory protection.
Never allow yourself or team members to exceed the maximum daily exposure limits.
Want to learn more about choosing respiratory protection?
Get a copy of The Essential Respiratory Protection Guide
What you will learn:
From the basics of what respiratory protection is and why it's important, to the more in-depth types of fit testing available - this guide is here to help!
Generally, if respiratory protective equipment is being used, employers are required to do the following:
- Provide the appropriate equipment
- Ensure that it is properly fitted to each individual
- Ensure that workers using respiratory equipment are adequately trained
- Ensure proper selection, use and care of equipment
This guide walks you through each of these steps to make sure your program is providing the necessary protection to workers.
Have a question?
Our team of safety specialists is here to help answer any questions you might have. Fill out the form below to learn more about respirators for silica does or get recommendations on equipment, services or training.
Article written in partnership with Dentec Safety Specialists.