What type of mask is required for silica dust?

NIOSH recommends the use of half-facepiece particulate respirators with N95 or better filters for airborne exposures to crystalline silica at concentrations less than or equal to 0.5 mg/m3.

Do dust masks protect against silica?

A: Disposable filtering facepiece respirators (dust masks) will not protect the worker from crystalline silica exposure during sandblasting. In addition, a properly operated and maintained approved abrasive blasting respirator may provide adequate protection to the wearer.

Do KN95 masks work for silica dust?

Cloth masks or basic nuisance-grade dust mask will not offer enough protection against silica. The best options are N95/KN95 masks, or respirators with P95 or P100 filters. This is also the level of protection businesses are required by OSHA to provide to employees if silica dust is present.

How do you protect against silica dust?

Water can keep silica dust out of the air – and out of your lungs. Use tools with water attachments to control dust at the source. Water can also keep dust down during activities like sweeping and demolition. Use tools with vacuum attachments to capture the dust right where it starts.

What are the symptoms of silicosis?

These commonly include bronchitis-like symptoms such as persistent cough, shortness of breath and difficulty breathing. People also suffer from weakness, fatigue, fever, night sweats, leg swelling and bluish discoloration of the lips.

How long does silica dust stay in the air?

12 days
This form of dust is so small that it can stay in the air for up to 12 days.

How much silica dust is too much?

Because silicosis is caused by cumulative or repeated exposure to respirable crystalline silica, it makes sense that we would want to limit exposure as much as possible! OSHA has set the Personal Exposure Limit (PEL) at 50 micrograms per cubic meter of air, averaged over an 8 hour shift.

What are the signs of silicosis?

The main symptoms of silicosis are:

• a persistent cough.
• persistent shortness of breath.
• weakness and tiredness.

How quickly can you get silicosis?

Silicosis usually develops after being exposed to silica for 10-20 years, although it can sometimes develop after 5-10 years of exposure. Occasionally, it can occur after only a few months of very heavy exposure.

What should I know about silica dust respirators?

Designed to meet the highest standards of versatility and quality. Protection designed specifically to meet the Silica Dust Respiratory Hazard that we encounter in our job. Choose the respirator that best suits your needs and protection requirements, whether you desire durability, reusability, or the economy of a disposable dust mask.

What are the NIOSH standards for silica dust?

NIOSH Compliant for Silica Dust, Odor & Fume Protection Designed to meet the highest standards of versatility and quality. Protection designed specifically to meet the Silica Dust Respiratory Hazard that we encounter in our job.

What kind of filter does a NIOSH respirator use?

(APF = 25) Any powered, air-purifying respirator with a high-efficiency particulate filter. (APF = 50) Any air-purifying, full-facepiece respirator with an N100, R100, or P100 filter. Click here for information on selection of N, R, or P filters.

Can a full mask respirator be used in place of a half mask?

* A half-mask respirator with cartridges specifically approved for protection against formaldehyde can be substituted for the full-facepiece respirator providing that effective gas-proof goggles are provided and used in combination with the half-mask respirator. Half-mask * air-purifying respirator equipped with high-efficiency filters **.