What are the risks of exposure to respirable crystalline silica dust?

Respirable crystalline silica (RCS) dust is one of the most frequent hazardous substances on construction sites. But, what risks does it entail? And how do we mitigate them?

Long-term exposure to concentrations of respirable crystalline silica (RCS) dust higher than legal limits can cause lung disease silicosis and an increased risk of lung cancer.

The silica dust inhaled is usually composed of a mixture of crystalline silica and other materials.

For that matter, the response of an individual is likely to depend on: the nature and crystalline silica content of the dust, the dust fraction, the extent and nature of personal exposure, the personal physiological characteristics and smoking habits. Exposure to RCS can also be managed safely, through efficient work practices that mitigate any risk.

More information about silica dust, its risks and application, can be found in the EDI Special Publication 2020. You can read it for free here!