Dangers Of Inhaling Concrete Dust

When cement dust is swallowed it puts organs such as the stomach kidney and heart at risk.

Dangers of inhaling concrete dust.

When you think about dust hazards the first item of ppe you might consider is a dust mask. Dry unused cement concrete is really not something good to breathe. Regular exposure to this hazardous dust can lead to the development of silicosis a deadly and incurable lung disease. The way cement works is when you add water a chemical reaction occurs by hydration and a lot of different things occur.

Looking over my shoulder there was a huge plume of airborne toxic dust. Prolonged exposure could also lead to stomach cancer he warns. Concrete and cement dust health hazards inhalation. Hazardous materials in wet concrete and mortar include.

Trace amounts of crystalline silica which is abrasive to the skin and can damage lungs. Trace amounts of chromium that can cause allergic reactions. Cement dust causes lung function impairment chronic obstructive lung disease restrictive lung disease pneumoconiosis and carcinoma of the lungs stomach and colon. Cement based products like concrete or mortar can cause serious skin problems such as dermatitis and burns.

But why do we. When these materials are dry cut they release silica containing dust into the workers breathing zone. The dangers of inhaling concrete dust and stone dust should never be played down. Grinding and polishing of concrete will release the dangerous silica bearing dust in to air exposing construction workers and others.

Masonry blocks bricks and concrete slabs contain concentrated amounts of crystalline silica. Inhaling cement or concrete dust may cause nose and throat irritation and constant exposure to concrete dust containing crystalline silica may lead to a lung disease known as silicosis. Lots of different chemical reactions occur and heat is produced as a by product. When enough silica crystals are inhaled over time lungs can be damaged beyond repair.

Dust from both can carry high volumes of silica which can travel into your lungs and cause scar tissue or cell necrosis. Wet cement also burns the skin. Alkaline compounds such as lime calcium oxide that are corrosive to human tissue.