Renovation dusts

It will depend on the size and composition of the dust and fibres. Large dust particles and fibres will mostly be captured in your nose and throat. They can also get in your eyes and fall on your skin. These larger particles can irritate your eyes, nose, throat and skin. This can cause cough, runny nose, and itchy eyes, nose and skin but this will only be for the short-term.

Asbestos

Asbestos was used widely in building materials up until the mid to late 1980s. Many homes that were built before 1990 will still contain asbestos materials and products. These include walls, roofs, fencing, eaves, and insulation (although asbestos was not used widely as roof insulation in WA). More information about asbestos in the home can be found on the HealthyWA website (asbestos).

You should never grind, sand or use power tools on material that might contain asbestos. If you do accidentally use power tools, on material that you later discover contained asbestos, it does not mean that you will develop an asbestos related disease. Asbestos related diseases do not commonly occur without multiple exposures over several years.

Respirable crystalline silica

Silica is found in many common construction materials including, brick, cement, concrete, drywall, grout, and tile. The products with the highest silica content are engineered stone benchtops. Silica in construction material is not a problem until it is cut or ground to create very fine particles [respirable crystalline silica (RCS)] that can be breathed into your lungs.

Respirable crystalline silica can cause lung cancer and a lung disease called silicosis. Unlike asbestos, silica is still mainly an occupational exposure problem and most cases of silicosis, and silica-related lung cancer, are due to long-term and/or repeated high exposures in the workplace. However, home renovators still need to be cautious when cutting or grinding material such bricks, concrete and engineered stone.

Lead

Before 1970, paints containing high levels of lead were used in many Australian houses. Lead was phased out of paint from that time, although it is still present in trace amounts. As with any of the substances mentioned here, lead in house paint is a problem only if it is disturbed and can be either breathed in or eaten/swallowed. Flaking lead-based paint can be a problem, particularly for children who may purposefully or accidentally put the flakes in their mouth. Sanding lead paint can be a problem as it will create fine dust that can be breathed in.

Lead can cause immediate (acute) and long-term (chronic) health effects. Information about acute and chronic effects of lead can be found on the HealthyWA website (lead).

Wood dust and formaldehyde

Both natural wood and composite wood products will generate fine dust when cut or sanded. Composite wood products are made of strands, particles, fibres, or boards of wood held together with glues. These products are commonly used in the manufacture of furniture, cupboards, flooring, and wooden children’s toys. The glue, or resin, that is used in composite wood products contains formaldehyde. Formaldehyde is also a naturally occurring chemical in wood

Both wood dust and formaldehyde, independently, can cause health problems. High levels of wood dust can cause cancers in the nose, as can formaldehyde. Again, these cancers occur predominantly in people who work with wood and composite wood products and, therefore, have long-term exposure. Short-term exposures to either wood dusts or formaldehyde can cause irritation of the eyes, nose, and throat, coughing, wheezing, nausea, and skin irritation.

Man-made mineral fibres (MMMF)

A lot of insulation material is made from various MMMF, like fibreglass and mineral wool. Over time insulation can break down and deteriorate. This happens from normal wear and tear and if animals nest in your roof space. Therefore, fibres and particles can come loose and airborne if disturbed.

There is not strong evidence that MMMF are carcinogenic, even with high occupational exposures, and they do not seem to cause other lung disease in workers. Risk of disease from MMMF insulation in the home is therefore extremely low. However, some people may find that these fibres can irritate the skin, eyes and throat.

Other biological dusts 

Accumulated dust in hidden spaces may contain mould spores, animal dander, plant pollen and other materials from the local environment that can cause irritation of eyes nose and throat when released into the air during a renovation.

The renovation tasks that generate the greatest amount of dust are 

• Using power tools to cut, grind, drill or prepare a surface
• Sanding plaster board or other surfaces
• Dry sweeping debris

Always consider ways to reduce the amount of dust you are likely to produce before you start and during your repair, renovation or restoration. For instance -

• Reduce the amount of cutting or preparation needed by purchasing the right size of building materials
• Choose the work method that creates the least amount of dust
• Where dust in unavoidable, it is best to reduce the amount of dust getting into the air and spreading. This can include -
  • use water – water is effective for damping down dust, but it is important to use enough water. Damping down the immediate area before cutting isn't enough. Water must be used to damp down an area the entire time that the work is being done.
  • use a vacuum extraction – where possible use equipment fitted with an industrial vacuum that contains and stores the dust until its emptied.
  • tape up vents and openings.
  • oventilate an area by keeping doors and windows to the outside open.
  • close internal doors or use plastic sheets to close-off internal spaces.
  • cut materials outside in the open air wherever possible
  • work outside if the job allows it
  • pack away anything that isn’t necessary
  • use drop-sheets to cover floors, furniture and other surfaces e.g. bench tops
  • avoid trailing dust into living areas

• Clean up at the end of each day to prevent dust from building up. It is best to clean up by vacuuming and wet wiping surfaces rather than sweeping and dry dusting.

If you are going to generate dust, take precautions to minimise your exposure. At the very least wear a P2 (sometimes labelled - P2/N95) rated mask*, or a respirator if necessary. Make sure the mask fits snugly over your mouth and nose to filter out the fine particles and change it regularly as recommended by the manufacturer. You should wear goggles to protect your eyes and if your skin is easily irritated you may need to wear long sleeves and trousers.  Consider wearing disposable overalls or coveralls so dust does not contaminate your clothes. Remove them before entering the living areas. Launder dust covered clothes separately to avoid spreading dust to other clothes. Practise good hygiene and avoid eating and drinking in dusty areas.

*P2 face masks are widely available from hardware stores.

Clean up tips

• Clean daily during renovations
• Wear an appropriate mask when cleaning up
• Dust accumulates where it lands so always start up high and work your way down
• Use a vacuum to remove as much dust as possible
• Go over the surface with a wet mop, particularly floors