Respiratory Protection for

Silica.
Silica is a naturally occurring mineral consisting of oxygen
and silicon (silicon dioxide) and is present in most rocks
and soil - it is the second most abundant mineral in the
earth’s crust.
Overexposure to certain types and amounts of silica
particles can lead to lung disease - it was classified as a
human carcinogen (Group 1) by the International Agency
for Research on Cancer (IARC) in 1997.

What is Silica?
Silica occurs in two forms, crystalline silica and The silica dust enters the lung and can then cause scar
noncrystalline or amorphous silica. tissue, decreasing the lung’s capacity to absorb oxygen
Crystalline silica (also called “free” silica) is a normal as well as causing inflammation of the lungs, shortness
constituent of soil, sand, granite and many other minerals. of breath, coughing and fever and is linked to kidney
The most common form is quartz, with cristobalite and disease. Silicosis is incurable and makes the sufferer
tridymite also present in many materials. All of these more vulnerable to lung infections like tuberculosis and
forms may become respirable sized particles (i.e. less can initiate lung cancer. Excessively high exposures to
than 10 micron in diameter) when workers chip, cut, drill, crystalline silica can cause acute silicosis in months or a
abrade or grind materials that contain crystalline silica. couple of years, causing shortness of breath, weakness,
These small particles can be released into the breathing weight loss and premature death.
air of workers and can travel deep into the lungs. Where can workers be exposed to crystalline silica?
Non-crystalline or amorphous silica is classified as a Construction work, brick and tile manufacturing, foundry
nuisance dust and includes materials like diatomaceous work, mining, quarrying, tunnelling and stonemasonry are
earth and silica gel. Crystalline silica is much more all industries that can have significant crystalline silica
toxic than amorphous silica. Naturally occurring granite exposure risk when working with rock, stone, ceramics,
contains up to 30% crystalline silica, while sandstone bricks etc. Crystalline silica is also used in abrasives,
has more the 70% content. Many manmade products adhesives, paints and glass and refractory brick furnace
contain crystalline silica - bricks can have up to 30% silica linings. Tasks such as dry cutting of bricks, masonry,
content, while concrete/cement can be composed of 25- concrete or tiles, mortar removal, chipping etc. done
70% crystalline silica. with a powered tool can require use of some level of
respiratory protection.
Workplace Exposure Standards (WES)
Note that sand or any silica containing materials should
The current WES for some forms of silica*: not be used as an abrasive blasting agent. (Safe Work
Aust Abrasive Blasting Code of Practice 2020, Section 3.)
And as per WorkSafe NZ: to eliminate respirable
Australia New Zealand crystalline silica (RCS) dust risk to health "Use alternative
Crystalline silica products (eg metallic shot, slag products or grit instead
0.05 mg/m3 0.025 mg/m3
(Respirable fraction) of sand for abrasive blasting)"
(https://www.worksafe.govt.nz/topic-and-
Amorphous silica
(e.g. Diatomaceous 10 mg/m3 10 mg/m3 industry/dust/silica-dust-in-the-workplace/)
earth, silica gel) What controls are available to reduce exposure to
Fumed silica crystalline silica?
2 mg/m3 2 mg/m3
(Respirable fraction)
There is a clear potential for creation of airborne silica
*See the Safe Work Australia or Worksafe NZ Workplace Exposure Standards particles in the worker’s breathing zone when working
databases for more detail.
with silica based materials and an appropriate risk
assessment undertaken to determine suitable control
What are the Health risks of crystalline silica? measures.
Diseases caused by overexposure to crystalline silica The normal hierarchy of controls will apply, so in the first
include silicosis. The most common form of silicosis is as instance product substitution, use of enclosures, extract
an occupational disease resulting from moderate contact ventilation, wet cutting methods and other suitable
with crystalline silica particulates over a long period of strategies can be used to control exposures. However, for
time. some circumstances and situations, the use of respiratory
protection may be necessary for workers to control the
exposures.
Where do I find information about respiratory Disposable Respirators (RMPF up to 10 times)
protection?
Use of respirators in Australia and New Zealand is
commonly done using Australian/New Zealand Standard
AS/NZS 1715:2009 which provides information
and guidance on selection, use and maintenance of
respiratory protective equipment in the workplace.
Reusable Respirators (RMPF = up to 10 Half face with P2 or P3,
In AS/NZS1715, different types of respirators are rated up to 50 Full face with P2 up to 100 Full face with P3)
to provide a stated level of protection to a trained,
fitted user. The specific types of respirators selected
will depend on the magnitude of the airborne silica
concentrations, the specific working conditions, other
controls in place and consideration of other PPE involved
and personal factors like comfort.
Powered Air Purifying Respirators with loose fitting headtop
What are the respiratory protection issues associated (RMPF) = up to50 with PAPR-P2 or PAPR- P3 filter)
with crystalline silica?
Silica is a particulate hazard, typically created by
mechanical action (cutting, drilling, sanding, sawing) or by
flame treating a silica source to create silica particulates.
The type and extent of the work being done will affect the
particle size and amounts of silica particles being released
Airline Respirators (RMPF = up to 50 Half face, up to 100 Full face)
into the workplace breathing air.
Protection from particulate silica can be provided by
certain respirators. There are several different types
of respirators providing different features and levels +
of protection - see some possible product options on
this page below for examples and their rated Required
Minimum Protection Factor (RMPF) *(ref. AS/NZS
1715:2009).
3M offers other PPE that can be useful working with silica:
Respirators that have multiple levels of protection are
available i.e. in addition to protecting the lungs, they may Eyewear
also have design features that protect the head, face and
eyes to the relevant Australian/New Zealand Standards.
A particle filter rated P1, P2 or P3 will be needed for many
of these, while there are also airline supplied respirator
options for high level protection. Tasks such as dry cutting
bricks, masonry, concrete, tiles, mortar removal, chipping
tools etc. with a powered tool will very often require use Hearing Protection
of some level of respiratory protection.
*The Protection Factor (PF) is the reduction of exposure expected for a
respirator when used by a trained, properly fitted clean shaven wearer.

NOTE: Products indicated are rated for protection against certain

substances only - each application will be different and an assessment
of each is required. The user/PCBU is responsible for determining the
suitability of the product for its intended use. Contact 3M for specific Coveralls
advice.

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