How to difference construction dusts
10/02/2025
The term “construction dust” refers to the variety of dust particles generated during construction work through processes like drilling, chiselling, grinding, and milling. These dusts consist of a mixture of particles that presents different sizes, shapes, and biological-toxic properties. Even though, the majority of construction dust is mineral dust, created during the extraction and processing of naturally occurring minerals such as granite, basalt, limestone, and diabase, it is important to be aware of the existent types of dust.
Dust categories
Dust particles can be divided in three categories:
- Inhalable dusts (Particles ≤ 100 µm; visible dusts)
- Alveolar dust (Particles ≤ 5 µm; caused by mechanical processing)
- Ultrafine dust (Particles ≤ 100 nm; particles contained in welding/polymer fumes, technical soot or diesel engine exhaust)
Do not miss the chance to learn about dust and dust pollution on EDI Special Publication 2024. Also, you can read more information about decontamination in EDI publications.
