Quarry and mining operations, such as drilling, screening, crushing, loading and handling of minerals can produce harmful particles, such as the dust from quartz (Respirable Crystalline Silica) which is an invisible continuant that is very harmful to workers.
Steel scrap is generally divided into two categories: ferrous and nonferrous. Other materials are included such as electronics, the old batteries and oil, all which pose hazards to public health through inhalation of dust particles.
The dust produced at the demolition and construction sites leads to several respiratory diseases which eventually claim the lives of a wide range of workers across the world. Silica, wood and lower toxic dust can cause life changing lung diseases and fatalities.
Sawdust exposure can also be controlled with water suppression. Wood waste involves loading waste into chipping machines and handled with shovels and grabs that cause the airborne wood dust.
Ballast dust contains small quantities of respirable crystalline silica which is a health risk for those working near operations. Water suppression is a great method to reduce airborne dust.
Misting is used a lot in foundries for cooling and the control of silica dust and other mineral constituents of foundry sand.
