What is drywall dust?

Published On : November 15, 2020

What is drywall dust?

Short-term exposure to drywall dust irritates the eyes, skin, and respiratory system. Dusty construction sites can create coughing spasms, throat irritation, and breathing difficulties. The dust may contain substances including gypsum, talc, mica, silica, and calcite – ingredients known to cause health issues when inhaled.

The sanding process forces small particles of drywall and joint compound into the air creating drywall dust. Long-term exposure increases the risk for more serious health conditions associated with the dust ingredients. Gypsum can irritate mucus membranes and the respiratory system. Talc or talcum powder can irritate the respiratory system, damage the lungs, and can contribute to the development of cancer. 

These are just some of the hazards when one is exposed to drywall dust. As we proceed with our new lives with a new home or a new room, make sure that you can live in it without worries. Have the drywall dust removed instantly.

Drywall Dust Company Responsibility

Employers are responsible for providing a safe workplace. When employers fail to comply standards, to recognize the known risks of drywall dust, and to reasonably protect their employees from exposure, they may face legal responsibility. Sometimes even led to illnesses and wrongful deaths. 

The dangers of drywall dust are clear, and drywall finishers have the right to a reasonably safe work environment. Part of that responsibility involves ensuring drywall finishers have access to reasonable safety equipment and appropriate training. Respiratory protection masks, glasses, and dust collection systems can all minimize a worker’s exposure to harmful substances. 

WHY? Because it is a….

Hazard

Over time, breathing the dust from drywall joint compounds may cause persistent throat and airway irritation, coughing, phlegm production, and breathing difficulties similar to asthma. Construction workers who sand drywall joint compound are often exposed to high concentrations of dusts and, in some cases, respirable silica. Some of these have been associated with varying degrees of eye, nose, throat, and respiratory tract irritation. Smokers or workers with sinus or respiratory conditions may risk even worse health problems. 

Controls

Drywall joint compound manufacturers recognize that workers might be exposed to too much dust during drywall sanding. A recent evaluation on health hazard for drywall dust found that drywall sanders were exposed to as much as 10 times the permissible exposure limit for total dust set. 

This should warn employers, homeowners and workers to avoid generating dust and to use respiratory protection when dry sanding. Construction workers are encouraged to use wet sanding whenever possible, and cut dust exposures by ventilation as possible. Wet sanding is generally avoided because of concerns about drying time and finish texture but avoiding this practice is highly discouraged. Wet sanding is used to protect equipment or furnishings rather than to reduce work exposures. 

Vacuum Sanding Systems

Several light-weight sanding systems are now sold to control drywall workers sanding exposures. These systems use portable vacuums to capture and remove the dust before the worker is exposed to it. Several studies of these sanding systems compared the dust exposures from three pole-sanding and two hand-sanding vacuum control systems with the exposures from traditional, nonventilated sanding methods. More manufacturers are now making drywall sanding controls to cut dust exposures.

Five commercially available vacuum sanding controls successfully reduced dust exposures. Four of the five sanding controls cut exposures by nearly 95%. Researchers expect the vacuum sanding system to perform well. Case report described after that the construction workers exposures have remained below the highest levels and relief for workers are experienced through the vacuum sanding systems. In addition to cutting dust exposures, each of these new controls has its own special features that will attract both drywall professionals and the do-it-yourselfer.

Benefits of Vacuuming off Drywall Dust

• The dramatic reduction in airborne dust exposures results in a much cleaner work area during and after sanding. 
• In addition to lower exposures, vacuum sanding systems can help the sander, subcontractor, general contractor, and building owner in other ways. 
• The savings and reduced regulatory liability given by lower respiratory protection requirements will be passed from the subcontractor to the building owner. 
• For workers, the clean working environment is more comfortable; less irritating to eyes, nose, and throat; and less likely to require respiratory protection. 
• For the subcontractor, a comfortable worker is likely to be more productive, be absent less often, and require fewer breaks for fresh air. 
• Cost savings will result from a cleaner environment that reduces dirt, cleanup time, and repair or repainting of stained floors and carpets.