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KN95 Face Mask.
4 layer design.
Adjustable elastic straps.
Adjustable nose clip
Soft and comfortable
Recently there have been reports of new cases of Australian workers developing silicosis – a serious, irreversible lung disease. The disease is caused by prolonged exposure to respirable dust that contains crystalline silica. The disease causes loss of lung function, leading to shortness of breath and other serious consequences, such greater predisposition to heart disease and lung infections.
Inhalation of respirable crystalline silica dust also poses an increased risk of lung cancer.
Which materials contain crystalline silica?
Crystalline silica is commonly present as quartz in rocks, sand and soil, so products containing any of these materials are likely to contain crystalline silica. Artificial stone (also referred to as engineered or reconstituted stone) appears to contain a higher proportion of crystalline silica – typically over 90% - than other construction materials
To find out if a material contains crystalline silica check the product label and Safety Data Sheet (if available) or ask the manufacturer of the product.
How can workers be exposed to crystalline silica?
Occupational exposures can occur where dust is generated and inhaled from materials such as sand, concrete, bricks, tiles, sandstone and other stone. However, the recent spike in the disease is reported to have occurred in some of the workers involved in stone benchtop manufacture, where dry cutting, grinding or polishing of artificial stone-based products can generate high levels of the dust.
Respiratory protection can be used to reduce inhalation of the dust if the above methods are not practicable, but it is not as effective as methods that prevent the dust becoming airborne in the first place. It is important to choose the right respirator for the job and to ensure it fitted properly on the worker. A half face respirator rated at P1 or P2 efficiency will give better protection than paper-type masks.
