Construction Dust: Facts, Myths & How To Protect Yourself 

Construction sites are dusty. Flying dirt, wood dust and exhaust fumes mix with particles flying around from grinding metal and demolishing brick and concrete. All of these things combine to create air debris and dust. How do you protect yourself from this on-site hazard and why does it even matter?

Myth: All construction dust is the same.

Fact: Different materials release different particles which turn into "dust". Wood dust can come from lumber, plywood or fibreboard. This is different from silica dust. Silica dust comes from a type of quartz and is found in many different construction materials. Demolition projects could stir up mold or other particles into the air. Not all construction dust is the same and it really depends on the project and materials being used. 

Myth: Construction dust isn’t dangerous.

Fact: Just because you can’t see it doesn’t mean it can’t harm you. Construction dust can be full of wood bits, pieces of metal, exhaust and dirt. When breathed in over time, dust can impact your lung health. Crystalline silica can be especially dangerous and can cause life-threatening damage to your lungs. 

Myth: There’s nothing you can do about construction dust.

Fact: Prevention and protection for construction dust is 100% possible.

Where Do You Find Construction Dust?

A certain level of dust will be found at every single construction site. It will occur naturally. Specific types of projects will have higher levels of dust. Demolition, road construction, or other projects that involve grinding, drilling, hammering, sawing and blasting can create higher levels of construction dust. 

Dangers of Construction Dust

Construction dust is a health and safety concern. Dangers range from mild irritation to eyes and skin to more severe dangers like lung cancer and long-term respiratory damage. Asthma, COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease), and Silicosis from breathing in crystalline silica are some other possible health issues associated with long-term exposure. 

How to Prevent Construction Dust

It’s pretty much impossible to completely prevent all construction dist. There are ways you can minimize it or prevent it. 

Ventilation

For interior work, especially, ventilation is super important when completing a project that produces dust. Any type of sawing, grinding, masonry work, demolition projects or other general construction that is taking palace inside should be paired with fans or other forms of ventilation. 

Consistent Clean-Up

Maintaining your workspace and cleaning up as you go when doing interior or smaller-scale projects can help reduce dust created when working. It can build up so this small act can make a big difference over time. Vacuum cleaners, air filters and even a damp cloth to wipe down workspaces can help capture dust and prevent it from flying through the air.

Construction sites can also use dust catchers on equipment, put sweepings in a bag or box before disposal and install dust screens around the construction site’s edge to limit the amount of dust blowing in or out of the site. 

Use Water

Water is a great way to control dust and reduce debris from flying through the air. Using water during masonry or concrete sawing can weigh down flying dust. You can also use water when rock drilling. Rock trucks can be fitted with a water tank or you can use a water truck specifically to spray down construction sites. This is helpful for larger projects and sites that are really dry or are creating a lot of dust.

Monitor Dust Levels

Air quality monitors are available to measure the size and concentration of particles in the air. THis monitoring is actually a very important part of the job of construction site managers and supervisors. These monitors also provide data to companies and their employees when pushing for increased safety levels. If a project is consistently bringing up high levels of dust, then that supports the move to increase the number of dust-reduction measures in place.

How to Protect Yourself from Construction Dust

Prevention is a great way to protect yourself. On top of the preventative measures listed above, wearing PPE is a great way to take ownership of your own health and protect yourself. Breathing masks can help to filter out any dangerous particles. 

It’s also important to be aware of the chemicals and materials that are being demolished or used around you. Ask your supervisor for this information so you can protect yourself accordingly. It’s also important to let your supervisor now if you notice anything strange on projects like demolition. If black mold or asbestos is found, informing your coworkers and site super can help keep them safe, too. 

Construction Dust

Dust is easily overlooked as a normal part of construction sites. Preventing and minimizing the amount of dust on site where you can can help keep the air cleaner. Wearing PPE and educating yourself about the materials being used around you can also help to keep you safe. 

Dust accumulates over time and so do the dangers associated with working in it.  While dust can be expected, it should still be taken seriously.