Dust and quartz in plastering

Plastering does not look like a typical dusty trade, but grinding, sawing and scraping plaster, lime and mortar-based materials can release significant amounts of dust. Some of this dust is so fine that it penetrates deep into the lungs, so dust protection is a permanent part of the craft — not an extra precaution.

Quartz dust — also called stone dust — arises when processing materials such as mortar, cement, sand and gravel. In construction trades it is often referred to collectively as building dust, and it can also be found in certain lime and gypsum-based products and additives. The dust forms especially during grinding, sawing and scraping where the material is broken down into very fine particles.

The Labour Authority's limit value for respirable (inhalable) quartz is 0.1 mg/m³ according to industry guidance from Branchefællesskabet for Arbejdsmiljø for Bygge & Anlæg. The limit value only makes sense if it is followed up with ongoing measurements and it does not replace preventive measures such as extraction and respiratory protection — it is a ceiling not a goal in itself.

Prolonged inhalation of respirable quartz dust can lead to silicosis - also called stone lung - as well as increase the risk of COPD and lung cancer. Because the damage only manifests itself after many years of exposure, it's easy to underestimate the risk in a busy day-to-day, where the consequences are not immediately visible.

• 01Use wet sanding or cutting where possible so dust is contained rather than swirls up
• 02Use spot extraction close to the source when you grind or saw
• 03Store dry material sealed, and clean with vacuum rather than sweeping
• 04Rotate tasks so the individual's total exposure time is limited over the day

“The dust you don't see as a problem today you can feel the consequences of in ten or twenty years. Good protection habits are an investment in your own health.”