Construction and building site workers are often subject to prolonged exposure to various chemical agents which are hazardous for human health. These substances usually affect the respiratory system but may also cause skin problems if they come into contact with the skin and are not washed off thoroughly.
What are the chemical risks present on construction sites?
Construction and building site workers are often subject to prolonged exposure to various chemical substances harmful for human health. These substances affect the respiratory system but may also cause skin problems if they are not washed off immediately. Moreover, prolonged exposure to construction site dust can cause eye problems, including conjunctivitis, which appears to be a rather widespread ailment in this sector.
Furthermore, during the processing of cement and concrete mortar in particular, silica dust is liberated into the air. The inhalation of this dust can cause severe lung diseases, including lung cancer which appears to be the most dangerous and common disease in this industry. In milder cases, illnesses such as both acute and chronic bronchitis, allergies and silicosis are also common.
One of the most widespread chemical agents found on construction and building sites is asbestos. Asbestos fibres are often released into the surrounding atmosphere during abrasion /scraping jobs, roof removals, or even after demolition work. If inhaled, asbestos fibres can cause asbestosis – a lung disease, fibrosis or scarring of the lungs, various forms of lung cancer, mesothelioma – a disorder of the linings of the lungs.
Moreover, dangerous materials such as artificial mineral fibres are also found on construction sites. These can cause skin or lung cancer and are classified as extremely dangerous to human health.
Close attention also needs to be paid to the wood dust present on sites as it is often contaminated by various chemical wood preservatives and paint containing chemical substances harmful for human health.
What are the chemical risks caused by cement and lime?
As far as cement is concerned, exposure to this material for long periods of time without adequate protection can cause significant damage to the respiratory tract and lung diseases as well as chronic coughing. Should the eyes come into contact with cement, serious eye damage can occur with the consequent development of vision disorders. Furthermore, should this material come into contact with exposed body parts such as hands, arms, or face, skin allergies and chemical burns may develop.
As far as lime is concerned, it can cause skin problems of various kinds, usually superficial burns but also damage to the upper respiratory tract. If lime dust is ingested, it can severely damage the digestive tract, and if inhaled it can impede oxygen intake and make breathing more difficult may also lead to lethal consequences due to the scarcity of the amount of oxygen reaching the tissues.
All these dangers need to be taken seriously in order to prevent possible diseases. Adequate prevention can be represented by various respiratory protective devices currently present on the market. Powered air purifying respirators equipped with helmets are particularly suitable. Generally, these respirators work by means of slight overpressure which develops inside the helmet owing to a flow of filtered air which is conveyed, through a breathing tube, to the inside of the helmet by a battery powered blower unit.
To protect oneself from chemical hazards present on construction sites, it is advisable to use the prescribed RPD such as the respirators manufactured and supplied by Kasco which, in addition to protecting the respiratory system, also offer protection of the head, face, ears and neck, making them particularly functional when working with chemical substances.
Nov 27 2017
Chemical risk on construction sites – the importance of protecting the respiratory system
What are the chemical risks present on construction sites?
Construction and building site workers are often subject to prolonged exposure to various chemical substances harmful for human health. These substances affect the respiratory system but may also cause skin problems if they are not washed off immediately. Moreover, prolonged exposure to construction site dust can cause eye problems, including conjunctivitis, which appears to be a rather widespread ailment in this sector.
Furthermore, during the processing of cement and concrete mortar in particular, silica dust is liberated into the air. The inhalation of this dust can cause severe lung diseases, including lung cancer which appears to be the most dangerous and common disease in this industry. In milder cases, illnesses such as both acute and chronic bronchitis, allergies and silicosis are also common.
One of the most widespread chemical agents found on construction and building sites is asbestos. Asbestos fibres are often released into the surrounding atmosphere during abrasion /scraping jobs, roof removals, or even after demolition work. If inhaled, asbestos fibres can cause asbestosis – a lung disease, fibrosis or scarring of the lungs, various forms of lung cancer, mesothelioma – a disorder of the linings of the lungs.
Moreover, dangerous materials such as artificial mineral fibres are also found on construction sites. These can cause skin or lung cancer and are classified as extremely dangerous to human health.
Close attention also needs to be paid to the wood dust present on sites as it is often contaminated by various chemical wood preservatives and paint containing chemical substances harmful for human health.
What are the chemical risks caused by cement and lime?
As far as cement is concerned, exposure to this material for long periods of time without adequate protection can cause significant damage to the respiratory tract and lung diseases as well as chronic coughing. Should the eyes come into contact with cement, serious eye damage can occur with the consequent development of vision disorders. Furthermore, should this material come into contact with exposed body parts such as hands, arms, or face, skin allergies and chemical burns may develop.
As far as lime is concerned, it can cause skin problems of various kinds, usually superficial burns but also damage to the upper respiratory tract. If lime dust is ingested, it can severely damage the digestive tract, and if inhaled it can impede oxygen intake and make breathing more difficult may also lead to lethal consequences due to the scarcity of the amount of oxygen reaching the tissues.
All these dangers need to be taken seriously in order to prevent possible diseases. Adequate prevention can be represented by various respiratory protective devices currently present on the market. Powered air purifying respirators equipped with helmets are particularly suitable. Generally, these respirators work by means of slight overpressure which develops inside the helmet owing to a flow of filtered air which is conveyed, through a breathing tube, to the inside of the helmet by a battery powered blower unit.
To protect oneself from chemical hazards present on construction sites, it is advisable to use the prescribed RPD such as the respirators manufactured and supplied by Kasco which, in addition to protecting the respiratory system, also offer protection of the head, face, ears and neck, making them particularly functional when working with chemical substances.
By Kasco Srl • Blog •