It is important to control exposure to Crystalline Silica as it causes lung disease and is a known carcinogen to humans. mr natural® environmental group provides several methods of silica testing.
Permissible Exposure Limit for Respirable Crystalline Silica
To help protect workers from exposure to respirable crystalline silica, The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has issued a final ruling that to reduce the permissible exposure limit effective as of June 23, 2016. The new rule revises the permissible exposure limit (PEL) for crystalline silica to a level approximately one-half to one-fourth of the previous limits.
The new limit reduces the permissible exposure limit (PEL) for respirable crystalline silica to 50 micrograms per cubic meter of air (50 μg/m³) as an 8-hour time-weighted average.
What is Silica?
Crystalline silica is a mineral commonly found in sand, stone, rock, concrete, brick, block or mortar. Workers are exposed to crystalline silica dust in many daily operations like cutting, sawing, drilling or crushing components that contain crystalline silica. Industries affected by this new rule include construction, general industry, maritime and hydraulic fracturing.
Silica testing can determine if dusts contain crystalline forms of silica (quartz, cristobalite, and tridymite) that may cause silicosis, lung disease or is a known carcinogen to humans. Controlling exposure is not only important, it is mandatory in the work place.
Silica Testing Methods
mr natural® offers several methods for testing or collection. We offer analysis for silica using NIOSH Method 7500 by X-Ray Diffraction and are able to speciate the different crystalline forms of free silica and differentiate from most interference in bulk or air filter samples. The following testing procedures include:
- Bulk sampling to categorize materials for potential silica hazards
- Dust analysis for settled dust to categorize the silica types present
- Air sampling to quantify exposure to individuals or entire environments
- Total weight and silica analyses may be achieved by a single filter
Consult with an engineer from mr natural® environmental group about testing exposure levels of silica.
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