Abstract
Artificial stone is increasing in popularity in construction applications, including commercial and residential countertops. Eco-friendliness, durability, and resistance to staining, make artificial stone attractive to consumers. Health concerns have arisen during manufacturing of artificial stone due to increased incidence of silicosis after relatively short exposure. Three artificial stone samples (A, B, and C) and one natural granite sample were subjected to cutting and grinding in a controlled environment. Gravimetric analysis, X-Ray diffraction, and scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive spectroscopy were employed to determine crystalline silica concentrations and particle morphology of bulk and respirable particles. Silica content of bulk dust from artificial samples A and B was 91%, sample C was <10%, while granite was 31%. Silica percent in the respirable fraction for samples A and B was 53% and 54%, respectively, while sample C was <5% and granite was 8%. Number concentrations for samples A and B were mainly in the nano-fraction, indicating potential for translocation of silica particles to other organs outside of the lungs. Respirable dust concentrations inside the chamber were well above Occupational Safety and Health Administration standards for all materials, indicating that confined-space exposures require ventilation to lower risks of acute silicosis regardless of the nature of the stone.
Highlights
Silica, known as silicon dioxide (SiO2 ), is a colorless, white chemical compound made of common elements which naturally occur in the earth’s crust
Respirable mass concentrations were highest for material A
No manufacturer specifications were available for the granite sample and our analysis reported 30.7% silica content
Summary
Known as silicon dioxide (SiO2 ), is a colorless, white chemical compound made of common elements which naturally occur in the earth’s crust. Silicon dioxide is the main component of more than 95% of rocks, many construction materials, such as concrete, sand, mortar, and stone, contain silicon dioxide in the form of crystalline silica; these materials are used in the fabrication of consumer products such as glass, ceramics, pottery, bricks, and artificial stone [1]. The same chemical formula of SiO2 can exist in more than one form of crystal structure. Respirable crystalline silica (particles with diameters smaller than 10 μm) is created during mechanical manipulations (e.g., cutting, grinding, polishing, and crushing) of stone, rock, concrete, brick, and mortar [3].
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