Part 1: Silica dust on the construction site – the invisible risk that affects both health and production

Silica dust is one of the construction industry’s biggest – and most underestimated – work environment hazards. It is generated when materials such as concrete, brick, stone, mortar, and leveling compounds are cut, ground, or processed. The danger lies in the finest particles. Often invisible to the naked eye, yet small enough to penetrate deep into the lungs. This might cause serious long-term health effects. Industrial dust extractors that capture respirable hazardous particles at the point of generation plays a crucial role in risk reduction.

In many projects, the primary focus is on speed, delivery, and final quality. But when dust management is inadequate, it doesn’t just affect the work environment – it impacts the entire production process.

The consequences quickly become clear:

• More cleaning – dust spreads throughout the work area and requires constant removal
• Increased downtime – work is interrupted for cleaning and corrective actions
• Greater wear and tear – fine dust damages machines, tools, and technical installations
• Poorer finish – dust reduces precision and negatively affects surface quality
• More irritation on site – reduced visibility, poor air quality, and lower comfort for workers

Silica dust is therefore not just a matter of housekeeping. It is a question of risk, efficiency, and control . This means creating a safer, more productive work environment without compromising performance.

What is silica dust?

Quartz is a form of crystalline silica that occurs naturally in many common building materials. And when these materials are cut, sanded, drilled, ground, or milled, fine particles are released into the air. These particles can become respirable crystalline silica (RCS) – a dust fraction small enough to be inhaled.

“Respirable” means that the particles are microscopic and can follow the airflow deep into the respiratory system. Unlike larger dust particles, which are often trapped in the nose or upper airways, respirable quartz dust can penetrate all the way into the lungs. Unfortunately it means they may remain and accumulate over time.

Prolonged or repeated exposure to RCS significantly increases the risk of serious health conditions. This makes effective dust control essential wherever silica-containing materials are processed.

Why is it dangerous?

Exposure to silica dust can lead to several serious illnesses and injuries, including:

• Silicosis (stone dust lung) – an incurable lung disease
• Chronic respiratory problems and impaired lung function
• COPD Lung cancer (silica dust is classified as carcinogenic)

The British Occupational Health and Safety Authority – HSE clearly highlights that exposure to respirable crystalline silica dust can cause serious health problems – and that it is possible to prevent it with the right measures.

It is also important to understand that damage often builds up over time – and symptoms can appear long after the exposure itself.

2025: New knowledge shows that the risks remain

Although silica dust has been known for a long time, it is still a major problem in the construction industry – and this is confirmed in newer materials. A study from 2025 that looked at knowledge and work routines among construction workers shows that deficiencies in routines and awareness are still an obstacle to reducing exposure.

Another epidemiological compilation from 2025 points out that the risks are most evident with high cumulative exposure, i.e. where people are exposed a lot and often for a longer period of time. And when working indoors, exposure can be extra problematic, which is also highlighted in a 2025 study linked to construction environments.

Also affects production

In addition to the health risks, dust can create a number of costs in projects: more post-cleaning and decontamination more downtime when you “have to deal with it” worse workflow between steps worse finish when painting, jointing and gluing wear on machines and tools Controlling dust is therefore an investment in both the work environment and efficiency.

Our solutions handle silica dust and contribute to a cleaner working environment

With the right combination of construction vacuum cleaners, pre-separators, air purifiers and dust protection hoses, you can effectively capture quartz dust directly at the source and minimize its spread in the premises.

By limiting the work to a specific room, you get better control, less post-cleaning and a safer environment for everyone on site. For extra safety, we recommend that you also follow up the results with a particle counter, so that you can measure and ensure that the air quality is maintained at a good level during the work.

Contact us and we will help you develop a solution you can trust – every day, on every project.

Next Part 2: How do you stop silica dust in practice?

In our coming post, we’ll go over how to build an effective dust management system and why “any vacuum cleaner” isn’t enough.

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