This video shows how breathing in silica dust can cause permanent damage to the lungs. Find information and resources on protecting workers in B.C. from harmful exposure to silica dust at worksafebc.com/silica.
I live in an area where there are a lot of spanish masons. I walk up to them as and share this video with them.. I then tell them to wear face masks and use the water attachments to their saws. Everyone I have done this to so far thanked me and was grateful.
If they get the opportunity, and pictures and videos don’t dissuade them, ask any masons who won’t heed the warnings to visit the basque museum of medical history and tell them to look at the miners black lung. from what I’ve seen it is pretty brutal on lungs with prolonged exposure.
i was cerntelntly exposed to it, and goddamn, this shit is nasty! i'm itchy all over the place, the only wasy to remove the scaring and the damaged skin is to deep scrap it almost like small cuts under running water, i've been fighting and scraping everything for the past two months, another sesh tonight FML
20+ years as a sandblaster and worked in extremely dusty conditions with concrete cutting and demolition. I have silicosis and thankfully since diagnosed have only permanently lost 20-30% of my lung function and holding, with only small decreases. Positive air fed helmets for blasting is what is needed for not only the guy blasting but everyone in the area . Paper masks don't cut it
Dahamma73 im a sandblaster myself, been doing it a year now..I wear a full helmet gear, when around the dust and not blasting we wear respirators with p100 cartridges, tho are good one for dust like silica. But we def have inhaled it just not to an extreme level
It's killing me now. Non-specific interstitial pneumonia caused by silica dust and chemical fumes from 30+ years in concrete and industrial coatings business. It's a miserable way to die.
It is sad but we as construction workers know and knew better. Foreign materials had always been a problem for us humans lungs. Especially those thatvworknwith abestro, fiberglass and other.
Great info about Silica Exposure. It's good to see other companies spreading the word about this dangerous safety hazard. We can only hope more workers take silica training seriously after watching a video like this. Thank you.
Prolong work of cutting concrete or cement should be done only when wearing a facemask and sand blasting should only be done while wearing a facemask. Sandblasting without a facemasks is an osha violation.
The Netherlands take one step further to prevent crystalline silica exposure - by strict laws. If you are working there, these laws prohibit the altering or production of sandstone (because they have 70-80 percent silica). If you sandblast anything more than 1 percent silica even with proper PPE, you can be fined as high as $10,000 EUR!!!!!
@@demam41 A dust extractor and dust shroud is also required by OSHA law. And if you must sandblast - STAY AWAY FROM UPWIND EXPOSURE OF THIS SANDBLAST RESIDUE. Try to expose that downwind instead to reduce silica exposure greatly.
Fiberglass acts like asbestos in the lung alveoli, but it is supposed to be safe, because lymphocytes can destroy the fibers after 60-90 days of exposure, but with asbestos they cannot and they stay forever in the lungs . Do you have any further information why is it unsafe? Otherwise I would like to know because I wouldn't like to expose to it.
It's not always work that causes this condition. I have this condition from my pets of all things. Cleaning clay cat litters can be breathed in, also fish keepers need to make sure they don't stir up sand or substrate, as that too can be breathed in. Also, bird keepers need to be aware that the dander from your birds contains silicon and can be easily breathed in as well. Potting plants can also be a danger. Wear a dusk mask when doing dirty jobs around the house.
Have you protected the fish against this dangerous inhalation? 👀 Ask the entitled furry's to do their business outside, instead of risking your health!
I bought triple washed sand for my sons sandpit and its almost entirely fine silica that looks like dust whenever it is picked up. Blows in the slightest breeze. Turns put its quarry sand and when they wash it, instead of letting the fine particles go, they catch them to make 20% extra product at the cost of kids lungs. Good job kids sand industry in Australia 😮💨
My dad died in April 2007 due to silica. (Silicosis) His lungs became completely scarred. When dad worked he was never given anything more than a paper mask and even then it was rare it was offered. He was on Oxygen for about 18 months after being diagnosed. Every few months the doctor had us increase his oxygen intake since it was getting harder for him to breathe. When you have lung disease, it also causes an enlarged heart. Thankfully Workman Comp helped pay his medical bills. He learned afterwards that once you accept Workman's Comp, you give up the right to sue your employer for your illness. Anyway, dad's body started failing at the end. His lungs, heart suffering finally affected his kidneys, which poisoned his blood. And died of Sepsis. At least he didn't die of suffocation from silicosis, but his kidneys giving out. P.S.-Toothpaste contains hydrated Silica (check it out). Even if they claim its safe, I refuse to buy it. I use a toothpaste with natural ingredients.
In Australia this information has only just become more widely known and reported by our media. Having been involved in various phases of construction over two decades I have been discussing onsite dangers of these and other products with little to no concern from my colleagues, building companies or their safety reps. Even unions have been reluctant to enforce band on use of toxic or dangerous products. It's an insane scenario which will now mimic the problems associated with the wide use of asbestos. Only the lawyers will win in the long run.
Crazy stuff.. Have been recognised, legally enforced and widely accepted in Scandinavia since more than 30 years. Just read a comment from a South African, apparently they still use leaded gasoline! Has been banned here since 1994.. Stay strong and healthy ⚒️✌🏻
I think it's because tradesmen are considered consumables. Somewhat our own fault though, we get the job done no matter what. That's what makes us good at the job..
Tips to avoid the risk of death from RCS - 1. Avoid grinding sandstone at all costs. It contains more than 90 percent RCS!!! 2. Avoid sandblasting anything that is more than 1 percent RCS. (Netherlands has such a prohibition. Violate that prohibition, and you can be heavily fined and/or prosecuted!!!) Also - 1. You can find alternatives to drilling, cutting, grinding, or sandblasting RCS-laden stone by using materials that do not have RCS. 2. PPE is very very important if exposure to RCS is unavoidable despite engineering controls to prevent RCS exposure risks.
This is how John Henry died back when they were building railroads across America the explosions in the mountains caused rock dust buildup in the lungs
i breathe in diatomaceous powder n the silica in it irritate my lung.. i want to use the powder to kill bed bugs in my home... but actually the powder can kill me too...
Formwork Stripper here. Lots of concrete dust comes off the ply and the dokas holding it up. Make sure you're wearing the appropriate rubber nose and mouth respirator with inbuilt filters when working around concrete dust. Paper masks are useless.
Dang....when i was younger i breathed this dust quite regularly on the job. Will i suffer later in life? Will i develop complications as a result of my ignorance?
I worked for a company last year mixing dry silica in 10 pound bags and the dust was incredible, he did not provide any respiratory or ppe for mixing this stuff, same with the iso cyanate ..
I worked in several different Powdery processes and was very diligent in using my breathing protection. Sadly father in law wouldn’t when doing his woodworking
I believe I got sick when I used to work at a Goodwill just cleaning the shelves. I could be wrong buttt pretty sure that is how i got very ill within overnight
Hey. I know you commented 1 year ago but were you able to find the answer to your question? How do you feel now after 1 year since the incident of accidental dust breathing? Is one day exposure enough to ruin lungs? Or it takes years of daily exposure to ruin them?
It's okay. What exactly did you use? Things like silica water beads are safe and finished ceramics aren't high risk. It depends on if it's in soil and if the soil can hold it inside.
Hi Jim, You’re welcome to stream this video from our RU-vid channel for educational purposes provided you follow RU-vid’s terms of use. If you have any questions around copyright or additional uses of our content, please contact us: copyright [at] worksafebc.com.
What radius distance from the direct work site is needed to safely not wear PPE? For example, if concrete is being demolished in a particular spot, and the worker is wearing an appropriate mask or respirator, how far away can other non-workers be and safely not wear a mask? For example, periodically maintenance is done on freeways in California late at night. One or two lanes might be closed off while grinding, drilling or jackhammering is happening. Traffic still flows past the work site in the adjacent open lanes while dust fills the air. Is this safe? Does this type of work possibly come with restrictions on wind speed?
I work in construction and we usually use a 10 ft rule. Not sure if this applies here. If a worker is required to don a special PPE anyone else within 10 ft of that worker is required to don the same PPE even if they’re not directly involved in the task.
That shouldn't be an issue, the lung issues only happen with very finely dispersed solids in the air (not only silica dust). If you were to eat any it shouldn't cause issues because it is so inert (which is ironically amongst the things that causes the lung issues).
What about common home working like drilling masonry or sanding, I know of course we should use protection but if one hasn't, would it be very dangerous?
Probably since it is still getting in your lungs. I take a ceramics class at home and they said that we should not do it in a small space when the clay dries because it causes the same thing.
When there is cement dust in the air, yes. Even spin casting wear a respirator. It takes years to build up but eventually will and will harden in your lungs. This video makes silica out to be worse than it is though, silica is in the dusty air and older folks been alive longer than most of us and don't have issues from it. The video using cinder blocks isn't a good representation since the cement dust will harden inside your lungs. I've worked in a cement industry and only quit cause I got tired of working out of town living in hotels. But yeah, wear a respirator. When I worked in the oilfield the silica fear went ridiculous there and got to the point anytime it was dusty we needed to be protected. If you work with straight silica dust everyday in heavy amounts I can understand, but like I said, old folks before respirators were a thing didn't have issues from silica dust.
@@adamrodgers9175 you dont know that, and people died at a earlier age back then. It doesn't matter how little amount you are exposed to because the only one that will pay for your medical cost is you. Good like trying to get an employer to cover medical bills 10 or more years later after you left the company.
Now I know what was in the pillow my daughter in law had for me,does that explain why my son's health is declining with leukemia that along with the overflow of unclean litter boxes &her chainsmoking those skinny cigars around him he's coughing constantly I noticed that she doesn't inhale just blows the smoke around with a fan above while my son &I are coughing constantly doesn't smoke in the house when her grandchildren are there I am not stupid about what's going on
Your bosses are dicks. People in Australia are dying from it silicosis WILL occur if your boss doesn't take proper precautions to avoid putting you and your crew in danger.
Tunnelling industry is the worst for this, there's a conveyor belt spitting out 50% silica rock dust about 100 metres from all the offices and lunch rooms, and everything around the site has a coat of dust on it
The grain size is way too big to cause inhalation issues. The danger is from inhaling very fine particles, a lot finer than the sand used in sandboxes. So as long as they don't shove the sand grains in their noses they should be fine
I might have inhaled tiny anounts of investment plasrer which consists of silica and gypsum. I always wore filtered masks but it happens when i take them off. I wish i had an air compressor.
No it’s a long term and/or high exposure over a period of time, one exposure shouldn’t kill you but it would definitely increase your risks from silica (I speak from experience)
Zurnmusic how are U feeling since then My friend? I almos felt like dying a few days ago... Had to call an ambulance because I thought I was getting a heart attack. Had been demolishing some concrete walls from a swimming pool at my sisters house.... Started to notice I was getting tired too quick... Was wearing only a dust mask... Im hoping didn't bread a lot of this dust.... Still feeling tired from doing pretty much nothing...
Has anyone inhailed enough to have respiratory issues, did it go away? I have inhailed enough to cause shortness of breath please help if you know anything about this.
isaac ricks that’s where I’m at right now. I have mild asthma so when I breath this my asthma kicks up how I know I’m breathing it. I’ve been working around it for 2 years. Gonna see if I can get a test on lungs to see if I got any damage to them.
@@gurkiratbaath7882 Dude, they are probably scared. I sandblast with the stuff for years. I'm healthier than ever. I still go run at night, no problems at all. Only thing I can highly suggest is wear a respirator at all times when around it. I've seen idiots without any manks, not even paper ones, inhaling this stuff like it was nothing. A huge no no.
I worked as a car painter, silca in the sand paper, boss never provided dust masks, does this mean im dead ? its a shame that if I cut my lungs out and put them on the table they will be black ? I better take up smoking to reboot my lungs
I recently was working with some sand containing silica dust. I probably inhaled a lot of it after two hours of extreme dusty condition without any respiratory protection. Am I at risk...?
ALEX L Yes. Try to wear a pp03 mask and use water suppression whenever possible, I've always tried to make sure I wear a dust mask at all times when people cut masonry near me but people cut corners because it quicker to risk it, while they don't know they're causing permanent damage to their lungs fucking idiots!
Jesus krist. I'm so scared right now. In company where i work with food supplements i was exposed to silica dioxiode. Its very very fine powder. I had my mask on but this powder went tru mask. I was all white on my head. Probably i inhaled some of the powder. Well 100% i inhaled. One week latter im home sick. I have bad bad cough. I dont know that to do. Is no possible way the body remove this powder? Am i realy done? Can i die or what? It was a realy realy clear and dusty powder ment to food industrie.
It depends on the amount of exposure and other factors. the lung damage mostly results from chronic damage, so maybe you'll be just fine after one exposure. But your employer needs to provide better PPE. Are you still alive?
inhaled a little bit of grout and thinset dust from the bags the contractor left at my house after he completed the bathroom job. I was closing the bags and the dust went up in my face and I ended up getting some in my lungs. last night i was really tired and had shortness of breath. Should i be worried about long term health effects?
Food doesn't go in your lungs. :p This is only a lung problem. No solid particles should go in your lungs... Especially non organic compounds, the body does not absorb those. Silica isn't special. This applies to all non organic dust. Sand storms can do the same to your lungs as drilling concrete. Not because silica is everywhere, but because the problem is not just silica. It's any dust
It's not any dust, house dust is harmless, ground (earth) dust is harmless as well. Clothing dust, paper dust, timber dust are harmless as well. It's only certain dust like silica that are harmful.
airborne soil is not harmless if it contains materials such as pumice. Some clothing dust will have nylon fibres which are not so great, house dust can have fungi in it, and wood dust is certainly not harmless
Depends on the particle size. If the particles are big enough a lot may be held back by the fine hairs in the nose. If the particle size is small enough the damage is probably going to be comparable, as silica is just the common name for silicon dioxide.
So I have been grinding concrete splatters off of iron on the building I'm working on and for the first 3 days I was given only the regular masks I finally bought myself one of those construction grade masks on the last day working on that. but since day 1 my throat kind felt rough and day 3 I had a small chest pain on my left side and my throat still feels rough... I hope I'm just scaring myself into having symptoms. . But can anyone reassure me please I'm kinda freaking out!!!
It takes years of hour long daily exposure until what is described in this video happens. I am exposed to silica everyday at work and I won't know the consequences until many years ahead.
any high exposure in a short time can be harmful....I imagine inhaling a handful would damage you immediately, whats to say the same amount in a few hours wont do the same? i often empty my hammer drill's vacuum a couple times in a single day from drilling 3/16"-1/4" holes at a max of roughly 2.5", and there is quite a bit of dust albeit contained. a grinder will throw dust all around you even with a vacuum attached
