Construction dust and fume exposure can cause serious health risks such as asphyxiation, heart attack, respiratory failure, or the worsening of conditions like asthma and COPD. It can also lead to long-term illnesses, including cancer and lung disease. Always perform a hazard assessment to identify ventilation intakes, confined spaces, and areas needing containment or “Negative Air” environments to prevent exposure to workers and others nearby.
ISSUES: DUST, TOXIC FUMES & BACTERIA
Short-Term Effects: Can be as serious as death (asphyxiation, heart attack, and respiratory failure), create irreversible conditions, or cause immediate symptoms such as headaches, dizziness, respiratory irritation, and impaired judgment, which can lead to accidents.
Long-Term Effects: Irreversible conditions like lung cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), asbestosis, silicosis, and other respiratory and neurological disorders.
Acute Consequences: Asphyxiation, heart attack, and respiratory failure.
Chronic Consequences: Chronic illnesses such as lung cancer and other respiratory diseases.
THE FACTS:
Available sources present varying data on the number of fatalities from dust or fume exposure in the United States, depending on whether the source accounts for immediate or long-term effects.
Short-term exposure fatalities: Data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) focuses on acute, or single-episode, inhalation injuries.
In 2023, there were 41 deaths from the inhalation of chemicals and chemical products in the workplace. From 2017 to 2023, fatalities from acute chemical inhalation ranged from 33 to 55 per year.
Long-term exposure fatalities: The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) cites that workers suffer approximately 50,000 deaths annually as a result of prolonged exposure to dusts and fumes. The AFL-CIO estimates 120,000 annual deaths from occupational diseases based on analyses of peer-reviewed literature.
COMMON CAUSES OF CONSTRUCTION DUST, FUME & BACTERIA EXPOSURE
No hazard assessment conducted
Improper use of products or equipment
Improper storage of chemicals, gas, or toxic materials
Disturbing areas that allow dust, mold, or bacteria to become airborne
Lack of understanding of hazard assessment “red flags”
No prior knowledge or training of the hazard
Accidentally mixing reactive chemicals together
Malfunctioning equipment or systems
Heating, burning, or cutting construction materials
Lack of PPE use
Poor personal hygiene
Ingestion of chemicals or by-products
CONSEQUENCES OF CONSTRUCTION DUST, FUME & BACTERIA EXPOSURE
1. Injuries and fatalities
2. Short- and long-term illness
3. Project delays
4. Legal and financial repercussions
SOURCES OF DUST AND FUMES:
Smoke inhalation, welding fumes, asbestos, silica dust, solvent vapors such as Volatile Organic Compounds
(VOCs), toxic building materials, carbon monoxide, airborne contaminants released during demolition (such as mold and bacteria), diesel exhaust from generators and equipment, and oxygen-deficient atmospheres.
REGULATIONS:
OSHA has no single standard for all fumes and gases;
instead, specific Permissible Exposure Limits (PELs) for particular substances are set in 29 CFR 1910.1000 (Table Z-1) and related sections. Employers are required to use engineering controls and, if necessary, respiratory protection to keep exposures below these limits.
Key standards include 1910.1450 (Laboratory Standard), which mandates chemical hygiene plans, fume hood maintenance, and the construction standard 1926.57 (Ventilation), requiring local exhaust systems to keep fumes and dust below levels defined in § 1926.55.
GENERAL OSHA STANDARDS
29 CFR 1910 Subpart Z: Outlines the specific PELs for airborne contaminants and requires employers to limit exposures to these limits.
29 CFR 1910.134 (Respiratory Protection): When engineering controls are not feasible or sufficient, employers must use appropriate respirators to protect employees from hazardous air contaminants.
29 CFR 1910.1450 (Occupational Exposure to Hazardous Chemicals in Laboratories): Requires a written chemical hygiene plan and ensures fume hoods are properly maintained.
CONSTRUCTION STANDARDS
S29 CFR 1926.55 and 1926.57: Require exposure limits for dust, fumes, mists, gases, and vapors to be kept within safe limits using engineering controls such as local ventilation.
29 CFR 1926.57(a–c): Specifies requirements for general ventilation, local exhaust systems, and design standards for exhaust fans and ducts to prevent harmful airborne concentrations.
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
1. Construction fume exposure can cause cancer, lung disease, and irritation from substances such as welding fumes, asbestos, silica dust, VOC solvents, carbon monoxide, and diesel exhaust.
2. Fumes and contaminants can enter hospitals, posing serious risks to patients and staff, especially those with weakened immune systems.
3. Contaminants can also enter offices or homes, causing health issues for occupants.
4. Hospitals and construction teams must enforce strict exposure control protocols.
5. Employers must assess hazards, use engineering controls and respiratory protection, prevent indirect exposure, and provide proper training.
6. Workers must be trained on the materials they handle and follow safety procedures.
7. Hazard assessments must consider third-party exposure by identifying HVAC and ventilation intakes, determining containment needs, and noting confined spaces that could become contaminated.
8. Air monitoring is required in all conditions.
DO’S – STEPS FOR CONTROLLING DUST, FUME & BACTERIA EXPOSURE
Do start with a hazard assessment.
Do review all SDS sheets and product information.
Do ensure manufacturer’s instructions for use, cleanup, and disposal are followed.
Do position activities away from ventilation systems or confined spaces.
Do wear required PPE.
Do inspect all equipment and tools before use.
Do understand first aid and field response steps for overexposure.
Do determine if isolation containment or negative air controls are needed.
Do review hazards and precautions with employees and secondary exposure personnel and provide training if needed.
Do use non-toxic chemicals when available.
Do store unused chemicals properly.
Do dispose of unused products, by-products, tools, and equipment as instructed.
DON’TS – STEPS FOR CONTROLLING DUST, FUME & BACTERIA EXPOSURE
Do not use any chemical without conducting a complete hazard exposure assessment.
Do not use any product without understanding all exposure hazards and controls.
Do not park vehicles, run equipment, or use tools near ventilation intake areas.
Do not leave chemicals unattended.
Do not mix chemicals unless instructed to do so under specific guidelines.
Do not heat, burn, or cut construction materials without proper controls.
Do not allow dust, mold, bacteria, or fumes to become airborne unless controlled.
Do not use malfunctioning equipment.
Do not neglect personal hygiene.
Do not ingest any chemicals or by-products.
