IMA Europe have created a website that provides good practice advice for consumers exposed to dust during Do-It-Yourself (DIY) activities to minimise exposure as much as possible through very simple measures.
Occasional DIY activities are unlikely to expose people to high dust levels for a sufficient period of time to have an adverse health effect. However, reducing dust as much as possible during DIY works is a sensible precaution. The inhalation of dust, including dust containing crystalline silica regularly over many years can lead to lung diseases. As a matter of fact, most construction products (e.g. tiles, bricks, mortar) contain crystalline silica.
Crystalline silica, whose most common form is sand, is a naturally occurring mineral and a vital ingredient in many products we use every day, including almost all types of material extracted from the earth’s crust, which are raw materials for construction products. In everyday consumer contexts, crystalline silica does not pose a health risk. Silica dust poses a risk only to those working without the appropriate precautions.
There are simple measures to avoid dust generation, and by preventing dust, you can also prevent exposure to crystalline silica dust. The guidance addresses typical dusty tasks in a generic approach, it doesn’t address how to use/apply the products, for which the manufacturer’s instructions must be followed.
The website highlights a range of DIY activities and offers specific “dos and don’ts” for each. The categories include:
- General dust prevention
- Cutting
- Polishing/Sanding
- Drilling
- Sawing
- Emptying Bags
- Mixing Materials
- Cleaning After Work
- Waste Disposal
All information on this website is available in English, French, German, Spanish and Italian.
Visit the website here: Do it yourself safely | Safety tips
To read more about crystalline silica and hardwood dust visit our factsheets pages:
