Crystalline silica
A mineral dust hazard arising from stone, rock, sand, gravel and clay products. Inhalation of respirable crystalline silica can cause silicosis, lung cancer, and other lung diseases. Strict exposure controls and monitoring are required.
Also known as
By jurisdiction
UK HSE
“crystalline silica”Exact equivalentCOSHH 2002 applies to crystalline silica as a hazardous substance. HSE EH40 sets a workplace exposure limit for respirable crystalline silica of 0.1 mg/m3 TWA. Following a 2020 review, HSE now treats silica as a substance of very high concern requiring specific controls and health surveillance for exposed workers.
Irish HSA
“crystalline silica”Close equivalentThe Chemical Agents Regulations 2001 apply to crystalline silica. Ireland follows the EU OEL for respirable crystalline silica (0.1 mg/m3 TWA under Directive 2017/164/EU and its successors). Health surveillance and air monitoring are required.
US OSHA
“respirable crystalline silica”RCSClose equivalentOSHA 29 CFR 1910.1053 (general industry) and 29 CFR 1926.1153 (construction) set a PEL of 50 µg/m3 TWA for respirable crystalline silica. Employers must use engineering controls, establish exposure action levels, provide health surveillance, and restrict housekeeping practices that generate dust.
Practitioner note: The respirable fraction is what matters. Visible dust is largely too coarse to reach the deep lung, so the absence of a visible cloud is not evidence of control.