The construction sites are busy. It seems that everywhere you go you can find a handyman working on a certain aspect of the project. And the activity is practically continuous until the project is completed. All of these activities create dust that fills the air and needs to be cleaned. In this article, we look at why there is so much dust on construction sites, what types of dust are created and how to get rid of construction dust.
Why so much construction dust?
During construction, there are some construction phases of the project where the basic tasks kick up dust. Some of the construction tasks that generate dust are:
- sanded
- Cut
- Model
- Grind
- Drill
- straighten
- Pulido
It may seem obvious that one of the ways is to cleanseconstruction dustit is easier to reduce the amount of dust that settles on surfaces. This can be done withindustrial dry dust collectorsif the component of the project is carried out off-site. Or if performed on-site, aportable dust collectorIt can be enough to remove a significant amount of dust from your desk.
Even if you decide to use dust collection equipment and reduce the number of airborne particles, you probably still need a cleaning schedule. This is because there are many types (or types) of construction dust generated on a project. Let's look at just a few of them.
types of construction dust
As previously mentioned, various construction tasks generate dust. Depending on the material the craftsman uses and the work he carries out, dust is generated. We will briefly look at some combinations of tasks and materials that generate dust.
wood dust
One of the most visible sources of dust is wood. Wood dust is generated on construction sites when wood, plywood and other wood-based materials are sanded, cut, drilled or shaped. Therefore, wood dust is omnipresent on a construction site. Even work done on wood materials off-site results in furniture such as kitchen cabinets arriving with dust on the surface. Therefore, wood dust is one of the types of construction dust to consider when dedusting.
drywall rod
Another type of construction dust common on construction sites is drywall dust. Like wood, drywall is used in virtually every room on a project. In addition, cutting drywall, drilling, and smoothing or sanding the material's surface creates dust that permeates the surrounding area and then settles on surfaces. Often these particles look like smoke or some kind of cloud. This film (or layer) of dust settles on surfaces and must be removed. For this reason, drywall dust should be included in our consideration of the types of building dust.
ceramic powder
The next type of construction dust to become a target of cleaning efforts, which we will briefly mention, is ceramic dust. This type of construction dust includes tile dust and porcelain dust. Dust is created when working with ceramics because the material is very hard. In fact, ceramics require special equipment to cut them.Diamond discs for porcelainThey were developed for cutting porcelain and are used by professionals when working on porcelain countertops and ceramic tilers when cutting ceramic tiles. These and other tasks generate dust when performed in dry environments. It's no surprise, then, that tile dust is considered a type of construction dust to be included in cleaning efforts.
Arena
Not all building projects use stone, but a large number do. For example, a type of stone is used for any kitchen countertop, wall, or floor made from one of the following materials:
- quartzite
- Granit
- Marble
- limestone
- Tuff
- Concrete
- cobblestones
- stackable bricks
- quartz
- soapstone
- Onyx
- porcelain
The reason we consider all of the above materials to be "rock" materials is because each of these materials contains some amount of fumed silica. This substance is why dusting is so important in the first place. We won't get into that in this article, but silica dust is one of the main substances that make construction dust a hazard to workers.
Cement dust
From concrete driveways to terraces. sidewalk benches. Concrete appears in many aspects of a construction project. And where there is concrete, it is often found crushed, shaped, cut, drilled and even crushed. During this work around the concrete, construction dust is generated that has to be cleaned at some point. Concrete powder is definitely on the list of powdered building materials.
fiberglass powder
This entry on our construction dust list can easily be overlooked if you are not careful. Fiberglass is used in a variety of materials and depending on the material's intended use, the fiberglass is made with a specific type of fiberglass. we will not enterWhy are there so many types of fiberglass?used in this article, but the reasons for this are easy to understand.
Shaping, cutting, and grinding fiberglass materials are tasks that generate fiberglass dust on a job site or in a shop. Dust from this material contributes to the total dust volume of the project. Dusting fiberglass can be a pain, to say the least.
Metal vertebra
Last but not least, in our material analysis regarding the construction dust to be cleaned, there is metal. Whether it's angle iron, wrought iron, rebar, or another type of metal, you'll find this material on many job sites. Cutting and grinding metals like the materials mentioned in this article creates dust. Depending on the type of metal being cut or ground, the powder contains a variety of materials.
As we have seen, construction dust can contain many different substances. But no matter what substances are in the dust, it has to be cleaned at the end. In the rest of the article we will see how to clean construction dust.
building dust cleaning
Dust from construction sites covers everything. It strikes workers' skin, contractors' clothing, and all surrounding surfaces. So what is the formula for cleaning construction dust? We'll drop the discussion of how to remove construction dust from skin and clothing and focus on cleaning the area.
surface cleaning
When the building area is ready for dust cleaning, you can use various machines that suck up dust and collect it with a filter. Air dusting prevents airborne dust from settling on the horizontal and vertical surfaces you clean. Do you have a room air filter or a vacuum cleaner with a filter system.
Wall surfaces can be cleaned with a soft, damp cloth unless they have been freshly painted. Baseboards are basically little lumps that collect dust when they hit the ground. These surfaces tend to get dusty anyway, but should be cleaned after construction or renovation work.
Floors are also surfaces that pick up anything that doesn't end up on another surface when falling. Once you've cleaned the air, walls, baseboards, and trim as discussed, the floors should be cleaned with a vacuum that includes a filter to collect dust. This is important because using vacuums that aren't designed to pick up dust will only mix the dust into the surrounding air where the entire cleaning process has to be repeated.
In summary, construction dust is generated on the construction site when certain work is carried out on different materials. Cutting, grinding, sanding, and other common tasks create airborne particles that land on surfaces. However, a system that continuously and regularly removes dust from the air, walls, baseboards, borders and floors ensures that your project is presented in the best possible light.
FAQs
How do you clean dust from a construction site? ›
The best way to clean fine dust is to use a damp microfiber cloth. If you get the dust too wet it will turn to mud rather than sticking to the cloth, so make sure to wring the cloth out until it's barely damp. You just want to pick up the dust with the cloth, not soak it.
What can you do to eliminate dust on the work site? ›- Use Industrial Vacuums and Dust Separators. The best way to control dust and manage it is to use air cleaners, such as industrial vacuums and dust separators. ...
- Spray Surfaces with Water. ...
- Ensure Adequate Ventilation.
Water is often used to dampen down dust clouds. Enclose work tops to help stop any dust escaping. Limit the number of people near the work space and rotate those doing the task regularly. On-tool extraction or general mechanical ventilation can be used to remove dust as it is being produced.
How do you remove construction dust from the air? ›Using air purifiers and scrubbers for construction dust
Air-cleaning machines such as air purifiers, air scrubbers and blowers are designed to draw in construction dust from the air surrounding these devices and remove them from the area, leaving only fresh, clean air in the area.
Remove heavy dust from ceiling, floor, or appliance vents with a soft-brush vacuum attachment or electrostatic mop). (You can also use a long-handled microfiber duster.) Then, dampen a microfiber cloth and wipe the surface.
What is the fastest way to get rid of construction dust? ›Use a wet-dry vacuum to remove dust quickly and efficiently. It may take more than one pass to remove considerable dust accumulation. Watch for nails, splinters, bits of drywall, and other debris that may have been missed by the construction crew when cleaning.
What is the most effective dust control? ›Paving is the most effective, and most expensive, method to control dust from unpaved roads. Asphalt and Portland concrete provide durable and effective surfaces that prevent the breakdown of soil surfaces. Paving is very expensive.
What is typically the easiest and most effective dust control? ›Wet methods are often the most effective means of controlling dust because particles never have a chance to become airborne. Drywall compound manufacturers often recommend using wet finishing methods for dust control.
How do construction sites prevent dust pollution? ›To control dust, one can use water which is seen as the most effective and excellent solution. Water should be applied a couple of times a day, depending on the atmospheric conditions. The quantity of water applied should be carefully managed to prevent excess water that can cause erosion problems.
What is the best way to remove dust after renovation? ›Use a vacuum and try not to touch the surface of the walls. If there's too much dust left after the vacuuming, you can use some plain warm water, or slightly soapy water to wash away the remaining dirt. You can use a soft sponge or a towel to wipe them clean.
How do you properly clean? ›
- Clean the whole house, not one room at time. ...
- Gather all your cleaning tools in a caddy. ...
- Clear the clutter. ...
- Dust and vacuum. ...
- Wipe mirrors and glass. ...
- Disinfect countertops and surface areas. ...
- Focus on tubs, sinks and toilets. ...
- Sweep, then mop.
Cleaning – removes dirt, dust and other soils from surfaces. Sanitizing – removes bacteria from surfaces. Disinfecting – kills harmful bacteria and viruses from surfaces. Sterilizing – kills all microorganisms from surfaces.
How do you clean dust without chemicals? ›Microfiber cloths
For general dusting like wiping down the table, counter, or another smooth surface, a microfiber cloth works wonders. While other cloths simply move dirt and dust from one place to another, the tiny fibers in microfiber cloths collect and trap more dust than cotton cleaning rags.
In a spray bottle combine one cup of water, 1/4 cup white vinegar (to cut through dirt and clean), four drops lemon oil (to protect and polish wooden furniture) and two tablespoons of coconut oil. The coconut oil is the secret to help repel dust for longer.
Which system is a method of dust control? ›The three basic types of dust-control system currently used in minerals extraction and processing operations are: dust collection. wet dust suppression. airborne dust capture.
Which of the following are the methods for dust collection? ›Five common types of dust collection equipment are fabric filter baghouses, inertial separators (like mechanical cyclones), cartridge collectors, wet scrubbers, and electrostatic precipitators. Baghouse dust collectors come in various designs and are the most commonly used system because of their 99% efficiency.
How long does construction dust stay in the air? ›Because of its small particle size, it can stay in the air for up to 12 days. Sometimes, when we don't see dust, we might still smell it e.g. if a room smells “like concrete” cement can be circulating in the air.
Is construction site dust harmful? ›What you should know. Regularly breathing construction dust can cause diseases like lung cancer, asthma, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) and silicosis. Construction workers have a high risk of developing these diseases because many common construction tasks can create high dust levels.
What happens if you breathe in construction dust? ›Exposure to respirable crystalline silica dust during construction activities can cause silicosis — a serious and potentially fatal respiratory disease — but employers and workers can take practical steps to reduce risks, according to an Alert released by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH ...
Do air purifiers work for construction dust? ›Though it can be helpful to open up windows and air the place out, when it comes to getting rid of construction dust and fumes in the air, an air purifier is the most effective solution.
Can breathing in old dust make you sick? ›
You may not think it's a big deal when you breathe in dust, but for some people, it could bring on a lung disease called hypersensitivity pneumonitis. It's an allergic reaction to particles in the dust, and it can cause symptoms like coughing and shortness of breath.
What is construction dust called? ›Silica dust: A natural mineral, silica exists in common construction materials, including cement, concrete, and mortar. Silica dust occurs once the material undergoes a significant change, such as cutting, drilling, grinding, and sandblasting materials like granite, sand, and sandstone.
Which dust is best for construction? ›Therefore, quarry dust should be used in construction works, which will reduce the cost of construction and the construction material would be saved and the natural resources can be used properly.
How do you treat dust in the lungs? ›There isn't any treatment that can remove the specks of mineral dust in your lungs. Instead, most treatments try to keep your lungs working. You may need to stop doing the work that led to your pneumoconiosis. If you're a smoker, your doctor will recommend you quit to improve your lung health.
How long can dust affect your lungs? ›The first symptoms may last only 12 hours, or they may continue for several days. If you inhale the allergens over and over, you may have these symptoms: Shortness of breath, especially with activity. Dry cough.
Does concrete dust stay in your lungs? ›Even after exposure to silica dust ceases, the particles remain in the lungs and continue causing damage. This condition is called silicosis, and there is no cure. Chronic silicosis typically occurs after 15-20 years of occupational exposure to respirable silica.
What device removes dust from the air? ›Air purifiers are effective home and office appliances to improve indoor air quality. They're ideal for reducing mould spores, relieving asthma symptoms and, with HEPA filters, can even kill airborne viruses and bacteria.
Is there a device that removes dust from air? ›Air purifiers with a HEPA filter tend to be the best for filtering dust from your space. According to the EPA, HEPA filters can remove 99.97% of dust particles that measure 3 microns in diameter.
How do you get dust out of the air without an air purifier? ›- Vacuum Away Air Pollution. Invest in a good vacuum and use it regularly. ...
- Brush Fido. ...
- Use Natural Air Fresheners. ...
- Beeswax Candles. ...
- Check the HVAC System. ...
- Avoid Mold and Mycotoxins. ...
- Choose Low VOC Furnishings. ...
- Cut Down on Cooking Pollution.