What is cement dust? Cement dust hazards and control measures

June 28, 2022

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Cement is an important material in the construction industry. The cement industry contributes to the development of infrastructure for the whole world. More and more modern architectural works are being built. However, cement dust is toxic dust with potential risks to human health. Let’s learn more about cement dust in this article.

What is cement dust?

Cement dust is a type of dust generated in the process of mining, manufacturing, packing, and transporting cement. To make cement, people need to grind clinker, and gypsum together with additives. Clinker is the product of the mass sintering process of limestone and clay materials in appropriate proportions.

Cement contains silica which is a dangerous substance. Silica is a toxic substance in the construction industry second only to asbestos. According to statistics, silica dust kills around 800 people every year in the UK.

In addition to silica, cement dust also contains other toxic dust and dirt such as alkaline compounds that can corrode human tissue such as acidic oxides, silicon oxides, iron oxides, magnesium oxide, and aluminum trioxide, a small amount of chromium can cause allergies after exposure and in addition to dust.

Hazards of cement dust

Cement dust is a type of dust with lightweight and small in size. They easily fly in the air and cause environmental pollution. From there, they come into contact with humans and cause potential health hazards. Cement dust can be harmful to health when in contact with the skin, in contact with eyes, in contact with the nose, and when inhaled go deep into the body. The level of danger depends on the concentration and volume of cement dust in contact with each individual.

Skin contact

Cement dust when in contact with the skin can cause clogged pores, and dermatitis for workers in the process of work, often in contact with cement and cement dust.

Contact with wet cement can also cause severe skin corrosion. Cement dust can react with sweat or wet clothing to form a corrosive solution. If exposed to wet cement for a short time and washed immediately afterward, it is less likely to irritate. But continuous contact with wet cement can cause skin burns due to alkaline compounds penetrating through human skin.

Even when in contact with wet concrete causes skin burns according to each level as shown below:

First degree burn - outer skin layer — First degree burn – outer skin layer

Second degree burn - middle skin layer — Second degree burn – middle skin layer

Third degree burn - deep skin layer — Third degree burn – deep skin layer

In addition, cement dust can cause skin allergies due to substances such as chromium, hexavalent chromium …

Eye contact

Exposure to cement dust can cause immediate eye irritation. The degree of eye pain depends on the degree of exposure and its effects on the human eye. When exposed to cement dust, human eyes can immediately become red. Exposure to a large amount of dust can cause eye burns and affect workers’ eyesight.

Enter the body

Inhaling cement dust can irritate the nose and throat. A worker who inhales a sufficient amount of cement dust can cause an itchy neck, cough, difficulty breathing, and choking. Small particles of cement dust can easily penetrate the human body. Long-term exposure to cement dust can lead to dangerous lung diseases such as silicosis, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. When the cement dust enters the lungs, it will be difficult to expel them. Some studies have also shown links between exposure to crystalline silica and lung cancer.

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How to control cement dust

With the dangers that cement dust causes to human health. It is necessary to have measures to control cement dust, to minimize the exposure of workers to cement dust. However, for those who work in the construction field, it is difficult to completely avoid cement dust. But there are also measures to limit as follows:

Protection for workers

Protective equipment for workers: Those who often come into contact with cement and concrete. Fully equipped with goggles, waterproof protective clothing, protective masks (dust masks), helmets, waterproof protective gloves, waterproof boots…

Provide adequate sanitation facilities on site so that employees can wash their hands and face when finishing work or before eating when going to the toilet. This means cleaning clothing, boots, and other protective equipment.

Personal sanitary

Remove jewelry such as rings, watches, and bracelets… before working. Avoid wet cement which can collect under jewelry and cause skin burns.

If you get wet with cement, take off your clothes quickly. Quickly wash the skin that has been in contact with cement.

Do not wash hands from buckets of water used to clean tools

Work activities

– During work, dry cement should be mixed in well-ventilated places.

– If it is necessary to cut concrete blocks, it is recommended to cut wet to limit dust, and avoid cutting when the concrete blocks have dried.

– When workers need to kneel on fresh concrete, use dry boards or waterproof counters to protect their knees. Avoid cement that can seep through clothing and come into contact with skin.

– Cut concrete blocks to the right size, avoiding the need to cut or abrade them to fit. This operation can cause a lot of cement dust.

Know the hazards and first aid methods

Under WHMIS in effect in Canada, workers who are regularly exposed to cement dust are required to receive education on hazards and control measures.

It is necessary to master first aid skills when in contact with cement or cement dust.

– When the skin is stained with cement, it should be quickly washed off as soon as possible.

– If the skin appears with sores, open wounds need to be thoroughly wash the wound and cover the wound with medical care.

– If the discomfort does not improve, seek medical help.

– Eye contact with cement/cement dust should be washed with water. After 15 minutes there is no improvement, it is necessary to be taken to the nearest hospital for timely monitoring.

Install dust collection system

At cement factories or construction sites, it is possible to install suction and filter systems to collect cement dust. To prevent cement dust from spreading to the surrounding environment. Especially in cement factories, the amount of cement dust dispersed is extremely high, causing pollution in these factories.

The cement dust collection system helps to recover the gas-containing cement dust from the space entering the system. At the treatment area, the system separates dust from the air stream. Returns clean air to the outside, captures cement dust, and collects them. The amount of cement dust after being collected can be reused because they have the same composition as cement. This helps the factory to save a considerable amount of cost.

The installation of a dust collection system also helps to limit the spread of cement dust, limiting workers’ exposure to dust.

Above is some information about cement dust, the dangers of cement dust to human health, and measures to control cement dust. Hope the above information brings useful things for readers.

In addition, if you need the advice to install a cement dust collection system, you can contact System Fan Global Group for the fastest support.

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