Quartz dustiness: A key factor in controlling exposure to crystalline silica in the workplace

ABSTRACT

The classification of Respirable Crystalline Silica (RCS) as carcinogenic for humans has drawn greater attention to crystalline silica exposure in the workplace in recent years, leading to recommendations by safety and health bodies in Europe and the U.S. for lower occupational exposure limits. In view of this new scenario, the present study examined quartz dustiness, as quartz handling is a major source of crystalline silica in the workplace. The study was conducted on test samples with different mean particle sizes, prepared from several commercial quartzes. The quartz particle samples were characterised and the influence of certain quartz particle parameters on quartz dustiness was determined.

The results indicate that quartz dustiness may be significantly affected by mean particle size, specific surface area, the Hausner ratio, and fine particle content. The study shows that, in order to minimise the adverse health effects associated with the inhalation of crystalline silica, quartz dustiness may be deemed a key factor in controlling the generation of fugitive quartz emissions during quartz processing, both into the outside atmosphere (air pollution) and inside the facilities (occupational health).

KEYWORDS:

• Crystalline silica
• dustiness
• EN 15051
• occupational health
• quartz

Funding

This study has been financially supported by the Generalitat Valenciana through a grant, reference (ACIF/2012/111), under the Vali+d Programme for trainee researchers and the project IMAMCA/2015/1, which has been financially supported by IVACE and the Comunidad Valenciana Operative Programme FEDER 2014–2020. Furthermore, it should be also highlighted that this study was part of the preliminary research performed in the framework of the proposal with reference LIFE 14 ENV/ES/00238.