NIOSH Survey Reports
NIOSH conducts engineering evaluation studies of worksites with silica dust and/or other occupational hazards as a part of control technology research. The field study portion of this research is documented in workplace survey reports available on the NIOSH Engineering Controls Topic Page.
NIOSH Health Hazard Evaluations
A NIOSH Health Hazard Evaluation (HHE) is a study of a workplace to learn whether workers are exposed to hazardous materials or harmful conditions, such as exposure to crystalline silica dust. The NIOSH Health Hazard Evaluations site has a searchable database of HHE reports, including silica-related HHEs, and instructions for requesting an HHE.
Silica in Abrasive Blasting
Silicosis in Sandblasters: A Case Study Adapted for Use in U.S. High Schools
DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 2002–105 (2002)
En
Español
A Case Study in Occupational Epidemiology — the goal of this publication
is to teach about epidemiology by studying an occupational hazard, a disease
associated with the hazard, and the methods for preventing the disease.
Evaluation of Substitute Materials for
Silica Sand in Abrasive Blasting
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), through the National
Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), commissioned KTA-Tator,
Inc. to conduct a study entitled "Evaluation of Substitute Materials
for Silica Sand in Abrasive Blasting" to evaluate the characteristics
that influence abrasive performance from a surface preparation viewpoint
and the potential for worker exposures to airborne contaminants.
Preventing Silicosis and Deaths From
Sandblasting
DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 92-102 NIOSH Alert (1992)
En
Español
The Alert describes 99 cases of silicosis from exposure to crystalline
silica during sandblasting.
Silica in the Construction Industry
Construction Topic Page
Collection of resources regarding hazardous conditions and exposures in the construction industry.
Electronic Library of Construction Occupational Safety and Health (eLCOSH): Silica
En Español
Collection of resources regarding information on silica. Some documents include versions in additional languages.
Silica Dust on Construction Sites
External Link: http://depts.washington.edu/silica/
NEW Workplace Solutions: Water Spray Control of Hazardous Dust When Breaking Concrete with a Jackhammer
DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 2008-127 (May 2008)
Construction workers are exposed to hazardous dust when using jackhammers to break concrete pavement. NIOSH found that exposures could be reduced by using a water-spray attachment. A study to measure exposures found that jackhammer operators who break concrete were exposed to about 6 times the NIOSH recommended exposure limit (REL).
Silicosis - Working with Cement Roofing Tiles: A Silica Hazard
DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 2006-110 (2006)
En
Español
Although respirable silica is a recognized health hazard in the construction industry, only recently has this exposure been documented in roofers. NIOSH has measured respirable silica levels up to four times the recommended exposure limit around roofers cutting cement products such as when roofing tiles are cut during the installation process.
Silicosis: Learn the Facts!
DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 2004-108 (August 2004)
En
Español
This document presents information in an easy to read format describing silica exposures, the effects of silicosis, and methods to protect against silicosis.
Control Technology for Ready-Mix Truck Drum Cleaning at Hilltop Basic Resources
Report No. CT-247-19
NIOSHTIC-2 search (May 2001)
A NIOSH research study was conducted to evaluate worker exposures to respirable crystalline silica during interior cleaning of ready-mix concrete truck drums.
Hazard ID #9: Respirable Crystalline Silica
Exposures During Tuck Pointing
DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 2000-113 (2000)
En
Español
This report discusses high concentrations of respirable crystalline silica
during tuck pointing at construction sites. Includes information on good
work practices and respiratory protection for contractors and workers
as well as recommendations for equipment manufacturers.
Hazard Control #27: New Shroud Design Controls
Silica Dust From Surface Mine and Construction Blast Hole Drills
DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 98-150 (1998)
En
Español
On surface coal mining and construction sites, blast hole drills are notorious
sources of airborne respirable dust that may contain significant amounts
of silica. This Hazard Control offers information on a unique circular
deck shroud which may reduce dust up to 99%.
Hazard Control #30: Control of Drywall Sanding
Dust Exposures>
DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 99-113 (1999)
En
Español
Construction workers who sand drywall joint compound are often exposed
to high concentrations of dusts and, in some cases, respirable silica.
This publication focuses on two methods of drywall sanding — vacuum
sanding systems and pole-sanding, which assist in reducing exposure.
Construction Workers: It's Not Just
Dust!...Prevent Silicosis
DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 97-101 (1997)
This pamphlet contains brief information about what silicosis is, its
symptoms, how construction workers get exposed, activities in which silica
dust may be present, and silicosis prevention.
Silica...It's Not Just Dust: What Rock Drillers
Can Do to Protect Their Lungs from Silica Dust
This bulletin, produced by an interagency team from NIOSH, MSHA and OSHA
describes how to minimize the risks of silicosis for rock drillers.
Preventing Silicosis and Deaths
in Construction Workers
DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 96-112 (1996)
En
Español
This Alert describes six case reports of construction workers
who have died or are suffering from silicosis. In addition, the Alert
cites examples of five construction operations that used poor dust controls
and two operations that used good dust controls.
Silica in Dentistry
Dentistry
Topic Page
Collection of resources regarding exposure hazards in the field of dentistry
Silica in Foundries
Controlling Silica Dust from Foundry Casting-Cleaning Operations—NIOSH Hazard Control 23
DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 98-106 (1997)
Studies conducted by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) have shown that excessive concentrations of respirable silica are produced when cleaning castings made from sand molds.
Caution: Foundry at Work—NIOSH Video
DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 98-109d (1997)
This program describes occupational safety and health factors related to foundry work. English and Spanish versions are both included on this video.
Silica in the Mining Industry
Dusts: Mining Topic Page
Inhalation of excessive levels of silica dust can lead to silicosis, another disabling and potentially fatal lung disease.
Hazard ID #1: Exposure
to Silica Dust on Continuous Mining Operations Using Flooded-Bed Scrubbers
DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 97-147 (1997)
This Hazard Identification recommends that a 30-layer stainless steel
wire mesh or the synthetic filter panels be used in flooded-bed scrubbers
to improve silica collection.
Hazard Control #27:
New Shroud Design Controls Silica Dust From Surface Mine and Construction
Blast Hole Drills
En
Español
DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 98-150 (1998)
On surface coal mining and construction sites, blast hole drills are notorious
sources of airborne respirable dust that may contain significant amounts
of silica. This Hazard Control offers information on a unique circular
deck shroud which may reduce dust up to 99%.
Silica in Rock Drilling
Silica...It's Not Just
Dust: What Rock Drillers Can Do to Protect Their Lungs from Silica Dust
This bulletin, produced by an interagency team from MSHA, OSHA, and NIOSH
describes how to minimize the risks of silicosis for rock drillers.
Hazard Control #27:
New Shroud Design Controls Silica Dust From Surface Mine and Construction
Blast Hole Drills
En
Español
DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 98-150 (1998)
On surface coal mining and construction sites, blast hole drills are notorious
sources of airborne respirable dust that may contain significant amounts
of silica. This Hazard Control offers information on a unique circular
deck shroud which may reduce dust up to 99%.
Preventing Silicosis and Deaths
in Rock Drillers
DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 92-107 (1992)
En
Español
This Alert describes 23 cases of silicosis from exposure to crystalline
silica during rock drilling. Of the 23 workers reported, 2 workers have
already died from the disease, and the remaining 21 may die eventually
from silicosis or its complications.
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NIOSH
Publications - Silica (by Industry) 
