Dangers of Inhaling Silica Dust from a Tile Removal
SILICOSIS
CHRONIC OBSTRUCTIVE PULMONARY DISEASE (COPD)
KIDNEY DISEASE
LUNG DISEASE
Crystalline Silica Dust is Dangerous and Hazardous
Workers Affected:
- 2 million – Construction
- 300k – GI or Maritime
Establishments Affected:
- 600k – Construction
- 76k – GI or Maritime
Respirable crystalline silica has been linked to many respiratory diseases. The extremely small dust particles are about 100 times smaller than playground or beach sand. Approximately 2 million construction workers are affected and there are about 900 new cases each year according to OSHA. Homeowners and their loved ones are amongst the many people affected each year due to exposure. You can prevent respiratory diseases like those listed above simply by hiring a company that specializes in dust free tile removal. DustRam® is the industry leader in clean floor removal in the nation. For more information, please contact our team of experts, today!
Tile dust, also known as crystalline silica dust is an abundant mineral that can be found in the earth’s crust. Tile dust is common in quartz stone and is a basic component of tile, stone, grout, sand, concrete, mortar (thin set), brick, and soil. Silica dust is used to produce pottery, glass, concrete, ceramics, bricks, artificial stone and much more. Silica can also be found in those tiny pouches inside box packaging, labeled ‘silica’ with a warning telling you not to ingest the dust. Crystalline silica is extremely dangerous dust that can cause harm to your health. The dust is created during a traditional tile and mortar removal and it is released into the air pervading your home. OSHA classifies silica dust as a lung carcinogen for humans meaning that it is known to cause cancer. Inhalation of silica dust oftentimes leads to silicosis, a respiratory disease that can be fatal.
Dangerous Exposure to Silica Dust from Traditional Tile Removal
Hiring a flooring removal contractor that utilizes traditional removal methods will undoubtedly leave you with large amounts of dust and debris that will necessitate cleanup for months to come. The tile dust that is created during the process of removal for a 200 square foot floor can leave you with at least 100 pounds of silica dust in your home. On average, floor removal produces about one pound of dust which means that a 600 square foot tile removal project can potentially create 600 pounds of dust!
Prolonged exposure to large quantities of tile dust can result in Silicosis or worse, death. Silica is a known health hazard according to OSHA, an allergen, and respiratory trigger to sensitive groups of people. Tile dust has been identified as a carcinogen and can become fatal. You can prevent these types of respiratory illnesses by hiring a dust free floor removal expert such as DustRam®.
Choose Dust Free Flooring Removal Services
What are the Symptoms of Silicosis and Who is at Risk
Fever
Shortness of Breath
Dry Cough
Chest Pain
Respiratory Failure that May Lead to Death
Short and long-term exposure to silica may result in Silicosis. The more intense your exposure is, the higher your chances are of becoming ill. The amount of dust you are exposed to and the frequency of exposure all play a role in the effects. There are many ways one can contract Silicosis. The most common way is by breathing in high concentrations of tile dust for a long period of time. However, inhalation of silica dust even for a short period can also result in Silicosis especially if you are breathing it in at an intense rate. To learn about the different ways a person can get silicosis, follow along with DustRam® Orlando.
Types of Silicosis
1. Acute silicosis
2. Accelerated silicosis
3. Chronic silicosis (Most common)
Jobs That Expose You to Silica Dust
- Surface Preparation or Sandblasting
- Drilling or Crushing Concrete and Rock
- Tunneling or Mining Demolition Work
- Asphalt or Cement Pavement
- Masonry – Concrete Work such as Building, Repairing, Road Construction
- Hydraulic Fracturing for Gas and Oil
- Dental Labs
- Paintings and Coatings
- Pottery Products
- Landscaping
- Concrete Products and much more
Schedule Your Dust Free Flooring Removal
Which Method is Better?
DUST FREE FLOOR REMOVAL
TRADITIONAL FLOOR REMOVAL
No exposure to silica dust
The impact of the chipping hammer creates pounds of silica dust that is captured by our patented DustRam equipment the moment it is produced. DustRam® has +26 patents that allow our team to capture silica at the source leaving your home completely free of dust. As a result, you are saving more money and time. No need to hire a cleaning company to spruce up your home.
Exposure to dust
Silica dust that is created from the chipping of stone, tile, grout, and thin-set grinding, permeates every single inch of your home. The dust will end up in your air ducts, cabinets, drawers, and much more. Unfortunately, this will cost you multiple cleaning up sessions, and even so, it may not be enough! Invest in dust free tile removal to avoid the hassle of hiring a cleanup company.
Healthy method
During the tile demolition process, there is a mass production of silica dust. The dust is captured with our DustRam® equipment and tools leaving your home cleaner than it was. The DustRam® system will suck up all the dust particles the moment they are created, eliminating total exposure. Hiring a contractor that has the ability to remove tile flooring without exposing you and your loved ones to silica dust is prudent.
Bad for your health
Crystalline Silica is extremely dangerous dust that can cause serious respiratory illnesses and at times it can also lead to one’s death. People become exposed to this dust as a result of traditional tile removal processes. Many contractors do not have the ability to capture silica dust because their equipment is not up to date with the latest industry standards
Better prepared subfloor for the installation
The patented DustRam® equipment enables us to properly grind off the thinset that remains and capture the tile dust at the source. Our process has been perfected throughout the years. The subfloor in your home will be left smoother, cleaner, flatter, and better prepared for the floor installation process. Dust free tile removal is a great overall investment.
Concrete slab gets damaged
In traditional tile removal, scraping off the thinset is a requirement. Contractors use the chipping hammer attachment to scrape of thinset which inevitably leaves pits in the concrete. As a result of inefficient methods, the job is done poorly not leaving you with a floor that is well prepared for the installation.
Technologically advanced tools and equipment
DustRam® is a +26 times patented system that captures silica dust particles the very moment they are created during the process of tile removal. The equipment has been designed specifically to eliminate human exposure to this airborne dust that will cause serious respiratory problems.
Outdated processes and tools
It is no secret that traditional tile removal methods will leave your home filled with dust. This method does not focus on capturing the dust or even cleaning it sufficiently as to not leave you completely exposed. A traditional tile removal will let dust flow throughout your home and will land in those hard to reach places you never thought possible. Ultimately, this costs you more money because of the many cleaning sessions you will need.
Schedule Your Dust Free Flooring Removal
Hire DustRam® to Remove Your Floors Dust Free
Whether you want to remove hardwood or tile flooring, the only way to do it without leaving an abundance of dust behind is by using the right equipment. A dust free tile removal is made possible with DustRam®, the industry leader in the Orlando area. We will remove your floor completely dust free and save you the stress of dealing with the crazy aftermath of traditional tile removal. We are compliant with OSHA’s standards. We have industrial-grade silica dust shrouds on all our tools and equipment. Trust in us to do the job right! Contact us today.
