Sandblasters And Silicosis

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Article Title: Sandblasters And Silicosis

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What is Silicosis?

Silica is a compound formed from silicon and oxygen, often

found in quartz, flint, agate, beach sand, sandstone and glass.

When Silica particles are inhaled, it results in the formation

of scar tissue in the lungs preventing oxygen from getting in

the blood. This condition eventually results in a disease

called Silicosis, an incurable and progressive lung disease.

Approximately 300 people die from the disease every year in the

United States.

More than one million workers are occupationally exposed to

crystalline silica dusts in the United States. According to the

World Health Organization, more than 100,000 of these workers

are sandblasters. What is alarming is that 59,000 of them will

eventually develop silicosis.

Sandblasting and Silicosis:

In Sandblasting, compressed air or steam is used to project a

stream of abrasive particles onto a surface, which commonly

includes materials like silica sand. Sandblasters or workers

who operate this process are continually exposed to the harmful

substance while cleaning sand and irregularities from foundry

castings, removing paint etc because the silica sand used in

abrasive blasting normally breaks up into fine particles and

becomes airborne. Since these silica particles are invisible to

the naked eye, workers may not be aware of the risks they are

involved in, while performing their daily tasks.

In a research conducted by the National Institute for

Occupational Safety and Health during the late 1990s, 99

sandblasters with cases of Silicosis were studied. Fourteen of

them died from the disease. The remaining 85 developed

complications related to Silicosis and were at risk of death.

However, the relation between Silicosis and Sandblasting is not

recent. As far back as in 1936, a study in Great Britain

reported that 5.4% of a population of sandblasters died from

silicosis or silicosis with tuberculosis during a 3 and a half

year period.

Prevention of Silicosis for Sandblasters:

Avoiding inhalation of dust containing free crystalline silica

is the first basic step to prevent development of Silicosis by

people in the Sandblasting occupation. The use of crystalline

silica for blast cleaning operations was already prohibited in

Great Britain in 1950 followed by other European countries in

1966.

Adequate respiratory protection such as a type CE Abrasive

Blasting Respirator should be used by everyone engaged in the

sandblasting occupation, especially for workers adjacent to

blasting operation machines.

Pneumatic (relating to air or other gases) tools used in

industries like granite cutting tends to release larger

quantities of free crystalline silica-containing dust. The use

of these tools must be accompanied by an efficient dust control

system.

Using safer materials such as Specular Hematite, Blasting

Cullet, slag, or steel grit and shot as abrasive for

sandblasting, instead of sand greatly decreases the chances of

inhaling crystalline Silica particles.

Wetting down dry materials and surfaces before working on them

also reduces the chances of crystalline Silica containing dusts

becoming airborne. Eating, drinking, or smoking near

sandblasting operations greatly increases the chances of

crystalline Silica inhalation. Do wash your hands before. Do

not take work clothes back home, which unnecessarily increases

risks of exposure to your family and yourself.

About The Author: has been reporting on various

high profile subjects online since 1999. You can read more

about Sandblasters and Health Risks at her site

http://www.sandblastercentral.info

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