Silica is one of the most common naturally occurring elements on earth. Many construction materials contain silica. You can find it in products like asphalt, brick, cement, concrete, drywall, grout, thin-set, mortar, stone, sand, and tile. Silica or more specifically crystalline silica in finished products is all around us. So how is it a problem? The problem is when it becomes "respirable crystalline silica”. By blasting, cutting, chipping, drilling or grinding materials that contain silica, ultra fine silica dust powder is created that is hazardous to breath. Most folks do not know that it only takes a very small amount of the very fine silica dust to create a health hazard. In fact OSHA has regulations on Permissible Exposure Levels (PEL). The National Institute for Occupational Safety also has recommended exposure levels. The state of New Jersey even puts out a flyer titled "Dry Cutting & Grinding is RISKY BUSINESS". In this flyer they state "The key to preventing silicosis is to keep dust out of the air".
So what is Silicosis? Silicosis is a disabling, irreversible and incurable lung disease caused by silica particles that scar your lungs. The lungs react by developing hard nodules and scarring around trapped silica particles. Although severe cases involve those with prolonged exposure, silica dust is truly a hazardous material that should be avoided by all. Inhaling crystalline silica can lead to serious, sometimes fatal illnesses including silicosis, lung cancer, tuberculosis (in those with silicosis), and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Breathing this dust has also been linked to kidney disease.
Tile removal and dust:
Using power flooring removal tools to remove tile can release massive amounts of fine silica dust into the air. One pound of dust can be generated from an area as small as one square foot. This dust is so fine it gets every where including walls, ceilings, AC vents and even inside cabinets. Using only flooring removal hand tools can reduce airborne dust somewhat but the trade off is the huge amount of labor involved in comparison to using power tools. Using hand tools will not give you the smooth floor-ready finish that power tools can achieve with a fraction of the effort.
How can you control the dust in tile removal?
- Plastic and tape: We have seen plastic and tape used as a barrier but this does nothing for the room you are in and dust ultimately gets spread to other rooms anyway.
- Wet grinding/chipping: In some states only wet grinding and wet chipping is allowed. while this controls the dust adding water for wet grinding and chipping for tile removal just creates a big muddy mess that no one should have to deal with.
- Dust Vacuums: Vacuums are very effect at removing dust. There are two problems with this method. One problem is the vacuum itself. Consumer grade vacuums are not designed to handle a large volume of fine dust. The filters (even ones designed for dust) on these types of vacuums plug up easily within ten minutes of use. Plugged vacuums lead to dust blowing out of the vent of the machine and can burn up the motor prematurely. The other problem using vacuums is properly directing the vacuum where it is needed most, the point of contact on chipping hammers, grinders and waste bins.
What is the solution to dust regarding tile removal? Hire a professional that can provide "Dust Free Tile Removal" services. Floor Busters of Central Florida specialized in this area of service, The heart of our dustless tile removal service is the use of powerful non-clogging industrial Hepa-filtered dust collection vacuums. All flooring removal tools including chipping hammers, grinders and even waste collection bins are tooled with vacuum ports that keep the finest dust particles from becoming airborne. The results of our service produce healthier, cleaner and faster tile removal than any DIY or traditional method of removal.
www.dustfreefloorbusters.com - Floor Buster - A Central Florida dust free tile removal provider.
www.dustfreefloorbusters.com - Floor Buster - A Central Florida dust free tile removal provider.
