What is construction dust?

Construction dust describes the debris that fills the air at worksites. The typical types of construction dust include: silica dust, like sandstone and granite respirable crystalline silica (RCS) non-silica dust, like gypsum, cement, limestone, and marble wood dust With road construction, silica dust is a major concern for both workers and the environment.

Also fugitive dust is generated when vegetation is removed and soil is exposed to wind. Light winds can pick up and transport silty soils, fine sands, and clays. Course sands can also become transportable in strong winds. These soil particles and any attached chemicals such as fertilizer and pesticides may ultimately settle out in surface waters, and/or scour leaves and tender shoots of vegetation. These airborne particles can also generate clouds of dust that can create a traffic hazards and impact human health.

What happens when we breathe that dust?

The lungs are protected by a series of defense mechanisms in different regions of the respiratory tract. When a person breathes in, particles suspended in the air enter the nose, but not all of them reach the lungs. The nose is an efficient filter. Most large particles are stopped in it, until they are removed mechanically by blowing the nose or sneezing. Some of the smaller particles succeed in passing through the nose will reach the lungs. Particles are "inorganic" or "organic," depending on the source of the dust. Inorganic dusts can come from grinding metals or minerals such as rock or soil. Examples of inorganic dusts are silica, asbestos, and coal. Organic dusts originate from plants or animals. An example of organic dust is dust that arises from handling grain. These dusts can contain a great number of substances. Aside from the vegetable or animal component, organic dusts may also contain fungi or microbes and the toxic substances given off by microbes. Dusts can also come from organic chemicals (e.g., dyes, pesticides).

Silica dust is a major concern for both workers and the environment. It can cause health problems including:
* silicosis
* chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
* lung cancer
* kidney disease