Under new regulations that came into effect in January 2021, manufacturing and construction industries now need to monitor their employees’ exposure to crystalline silica dust, now declared a carcinogen.
What are the regulations related to crystalline silica?
Indeed, since January 1, 2021, crystalline silica is now considered as a mineral at risk for employees who would be exposed to repeated inhalation.
As the INRS reminds us: “Crystalline silica can be used as a raw material in certain industrial processes such as glass manufacturing. It is also found in the form of dust in the air in many activities: extraction of aggregates and industrial minerals, stone cutting, manufacture of dental prostheses, foundry, glass, crystal, jewelry, ceramic and porcelain industries, brick and tile industries, construction and public works, repair and demolition of industrial furnaces … “.
Thus many industrialists are now required to carry out a risk assessment in order to inventory the materials, products and work processes that may emit crystalline silica dust.
FILAB assists you in the analysis and testing of crystalline silica in your materials or waste
In order to meet the new legal obligations regarding the characterization of crystalline silicas, FILAB laboratory assists you in the analysis of your raw materials and finished products:
- Analysis of the crystalline character by XRD
- Analysis of the alveolar character by laser granulometry
- Density analysis by pycnometry
The analytical approach follows the SWERFcs methodology allowing to calculate the respirable fraction weighted by the size of the crystalline silica present in the sample.
These techniques allow first to determine the nature of the silica, i.e. if it is crystalline or amorphous, and thus to quantify the potentially respirable fraction of silica in the ambient air. Then to define the form of silica (quartz, tridimite, cristobality, etc. …).
Once the crystalline silica tests has been performed, FILAB laboratory will assist you in the implementation of materials and substitution processes thanks to the expertise of our engineers and PhD students who can travel directly to your industries in order to perform an on-site audit. Thus, they are able to offer you customized sustainable solutions.
