DEMOLITION DUST: HAZARDS AND CONTROL

Edwin Peterson, CEO, Dust Control Technology; Mark Shaurette, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, Building Construction 

Management Dept., Purdue University; David Clarke, Managing Director of CDC Demolition, Past President and Honorary Life 

Vice President of NFDC

In a recent survey of owners responsible for facility construction and maintenance, the Construction Management Association 

of America (CMAA) outlined a set of seven challenges likely to cause construction markets to change direction in the near 

future. First on the list was the observation that “Aging infrastructure in nearly every market segment is at or beyond its current 

useful life... represent(ing) trillions of dollars in necessary spending over the next 10 to 20 years to upgrade and replace these 

assets.”[1] 

The statement could be made about many developed nations, and as the built infrastructure in Europe and the U.S. continues 

to age, demolition and reconstruction firms are likely to see a growing number of business opportunities. At the same time, 

contractors and engineers are facing a complex set of challenges, some of which have not been a major concern on outdoor 

projects until recent years.

One such challenge is the hazard posed by dust that arises during demolition and debris recycling. In the past, these airborne 

particles have been treated largely as a nuisance, causing more of an inconvenience than a health or environmental risk. The 

fact is, the hazards posed by stone and concrete dust in construction applications were detailed more than half a century ago 

by Marion Trice, an industrial hygienist for the state of North Carolina.[2] And Trice wasn’t the first to recognize the problems. 

As far back as 1700, Bernardino Ramazzini talked about dust that “would gradually prove fatal to stonecutters who took no 

precautions” in De Morbis Artificum Diatriba (Diseases of Workers).[3] 

Dust is a generic term for minute solid particles, typically less than 500 microns in diameter. In construction and demolition 

projects, dust particles are created in a wide range of sizes. Larger, heavier particles tend to settle out of the air, while smaller, 

lighter solids may hang indefinitely. For occupational health purposes, airborne solids are categorized by size as either 

respirable or inhalable. Respirable dust is small enough to penetrate deep into the lungs, usually identified as particles under 

10 microns in size (PM-10). These tiny solids that migrate far into the respiratory system are generally beyond the body’s 

natural cleaning mechanisms such as cilia and mucous membranes, and are likely to be retained. In contrast, the larger 

particles in the inhalable dust classification are typically trapped in the nose, throat or upper respiratory tract. To put that in 

perspective, a human hair typically ranges from 50-75 microns in diameter, illustrating that the most hazardous dust particles 

in most situations are the ones too small to see.

Other than crushing operations, which must be properly registered and equipped with some form of dust suppression at the 

material entrance and exit, there is currently not much legislation in the U.K. that specifically addresses dust control in outdoor 

construction applications.

The issue has taken on increased importance for regulating bodies in the U.S., however, and many contracts in both regions 

now require dust control. On some projects (such as work for many state DOTs), dust suppression is a mandatory component 

of all planning and execution, subject to inspection. In both European and U.S. markets, contractors aiming to protect the 

health of employees and surrounding communities, while preserving the environment and reducing potential liability, would be 

well served to consider dust suppression a priority in urban and suburban locations. Demolition firms seeking to differentiate 

themselves from the competition and reinforce a positive environmental image will be likely to view the challenge as an 

opportunity.

WHAT ARE THE HAZARDS?

As the developed infrastructure in Europe and the United States continues to age, contractors find themselves working in more 

densely populated areas, with greater risk of public exposure to dust and less open space to dissipate airborne particulates. 

Some of the problems are fairly obvious: Dust inhaled by workers or members of the surrounding community can irritate 

airways and exacerbate conditions such as asthma. From a purely financial perspective, when equipment air intake includes 

significant amounts of dust, it can lead to more frequent maintenance and greater engine wear, causing operating costs to rise.

Job site dust can also generate complaints from local residents and businesses, affecting community relations and potentially 

creating obstacles to future operating permits.[4] 

A lesser-known hazard associated with airborne dust from deconstruction of older structures is histoplasmosis, an infectious 

disease caused by inhaling the spores of a fungus commonly found in bird droppings and bat excrement. When liberated by 

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chest pain, cough, headache, loss of appetite, shortness of breath, joint and muscle pains, chills, and hoarseness. 

Histoplasmosis is not contagious, and cannot be transmitted from an infected person or animal to someone else.[5] 

Chronic lung disease from histoplasmosis resembles tuberculosis, and the disease can worsen over months or years. The 

most severe form involves spreading of the fungus to other organs outside the lungs. Disseminated histoplasmosis is fatal if 

untreated, but death can also occur in some patients even when medical treatment is received. People with weakened immune 

systems are at the greatest risk for developing severe and disseminated histoplasmosis, as well as young children and 

individuals receiving cancer chemotherapy, high-dose /long-term steroid therapy or other immuno-suppressive drugs. The 

majority of infected adults have no long-term ill effects, or they experience symptoms so mild that they do not seek medical 

attention and may not even realize that histoplasmosis was the cause.[6] 

SILICOSIS

A far greater concern to workers and local communities is the risk of exposure to crystalline silica contained in airborne dust.

The term “silica” is a generic reference to the mineral compound silicon dioxide (SiO2), which can be found in either 

amorphous or crystalline form. Crystalline silica is significantly more hazardous, cited as a cause of the disabling and 

irreversible lung condition known as silicosis, one of the oldest known occupational diseases. The compound has also been 

classified as a Group I carcinogen (Carcinogenic to Humans) by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC, 

1997).[7] 

Chronic silicosis can remain undetected for years or even decades. It is a cumulative and often fatal condition, and as it 

progresses, symptoms typically include shortness of breath, cough and weakness. Over time, the body’s ability to fight 

infection is compromised and victims become susceptible to other illnesses, such as tuberculosis. Affected individuals 

frequently experience fever, weight loss, chest pains and eventually respiratory failure. Exposure to crystalline silica has also 

been linked to lung cancer, kidney disease, reduced lung function and other disorders. Despite such recognition as a 

significant health hazard, it’s been estimated that 15,000 people have died from the effects of silicosis over the last two 

decades in the U.S. alone, and hundreds more continue to be afflicted each year. At least 1.7 million workers are thought to be

potentially exposed to respirable crystalline silica, many in concentrations that exceed limits defined by current regulations and 

standards.[8] 

Because of its widespread appearance in nature and as a fundamental building block for structures and roadways, there is 

ample opportunity for exposure to crystalline silica in construction and demolition operations. In fact, it is one of the most 

abundant naturally-occurring compounds on earth, a common component of sand, rock/stone, clay, concrete, masonry and 

paint. Any activities that involve the cutting, breaking, crushing, drilling, grinding or blasting of these materials may produce 

fine silica dust, though it can also be found in soil, mortar, plaster, shingles and abrasives.

MITIGATION TECHNIQUES

The most common methods for controlling demolition dust are surface wetting and airborne capture. With surface suppression, 

the goal is to prevent dust problems by wetting the source before particles can become airborne, usually with hand-held hoses 

or movable sprinklers. (See Figure 1.) While these tactics can help reduce the amount of migratory dust, they tend to saturate 

target surfaces, often creating standing water that can become an additional safety concern or environmental hazard. In 

addition, their reach is generally limited, and either approach frequently requires significant staff time to man the hoses or 

reposition sprinkler heads. Neither technique delivers a meaningful effect on airborne particles, and both add unnecessary 

weight and moisture content to the debris.

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Figure 1: Surface wetting can prevent dust on surfaces from becoming airborne; however, once the wetted material is 

broken during demolition, dry surfaces are exposed, again creating the potential for airborne dust.

Airborne dust capture techniques usually fall into one of two groups: electrostatically charged fog or atomized spray. With an 

electrostatic fog system, the goal is to produce extremely small water droplets with an opposite electrical charge from the 

airborne dust, resulting in greater attraction and particle control. Unfortunately, the method is far better suited to permanent 

indoor locations than constantly changing outdoor job sites. Fog systems generally do not perform well in windy or turbulent 

conditions and typically achieve very little surface wetting.

Atomized spray techniques also rely on the principle of creating very small water droplets, but in contrast to fogging systems, 

they are launched from a powerful fan at moderate to high velocity, facilitating a collision with airborne dust particles to drive 

them to the ground. The method has proven very effective in demolition applications, one of the few technologies capable of 

delivering dust control by surface wetting AND airborne particle capture.

EQUIPMENT DESIGN

Achieving effective dust suppression with an atomized spray requires that each component be engineered to work in concert 

with all the others to deliver the right combination of droplet size, water pressure, air flow and velocity. As airborne dust 

particles and water droplets approach each other, the greatest attraction is created when the particles and droplets are roughly 

the same size, avoiding a slipstream effect that allows droplets and particles to drift past each other without contact. (See 

Figure 2.) Not surprisingly, there is a tradeoff: Larger droplets will travel farther before losing their momentum, while smaller 

droplets are more effective at trapping airborne dust. Testing and experience have shown that the most efficient droplet size 

range is roughly 50-200 microns, given the apparently conflicting goals of maximizing both particle capture and coverage area.

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they deliver a greater attraction between droplets and dust.

Velocity is another critical factor, affecting range, droplet size and surface wetting. Typically, higher air velocity produces 

smaller droplets and better wet-out, so a powerful fan is an advantage. But even when moved at great speed, small droplets 

don’t carry as far as large ones, so equipment engineers must design for a balance of both desirable properties. The nozzles 

must also be developed specifically for dust suppression to deliver the proper spray angle and pattern to achieve optimum 

distribution.

Atomized spray equipment is proving to be an extremely versatile dust suppression option for demolition applications. Most 

designs are based around an electric motor, with smaller units often running on standard single-phase power and a garden 

hose water supply. Larger models often require 3-phase service and are fed by a fire hose. Some suppliers are offering 

modifications that increase utility even further, such as an optional metering pump that allows users to introduce surfactants,

odor controls and other additives at very precise levels. Larger designs will sometimes have booster pumps that can increase 

just 10 psi (0.7 kg/sq. cm) of water pressure to 150 psi (10.55 kg/sq. cm) or more, which has a direct impact on performance.

To conserve water and energy, a solenoid-activated valve can be installed in the water line, allowing users to activate 

suppression equipment at specific times. For example, the solenoid can be activated by control lever or other flow sensor to 

operate only when conveyor belts are loaded and running. The latest equipment designs can be automated even further to 

operate via programmable logic control, which could allow a user to automatically start or stop machines when specific 

airborne particulate levels are reached.

Some contractors have taken versatility to a new level in order to more effectively address demolition dust, custom-modifying 

standard equipment to serve specific applications. At least one inventive firm has designed a completely self-contained, truckmounted dust control system that matches high-efficiency, fan-driven equipment with its own generator and water source. (See 

photo 1.) The 4,000 gallon tanker incorporates a fully functional, oscillating dust suppression unit mounted on the back, 

complete with booster pump and adjustable elevation. The dust management truck has a custom 3-phase, 480V generator on 

the front, with the winding driven by a power take-off from the vehicle’s engine. The system’s designers report that remote 

control capability for the unit is now under development.

Photo 1: One of the recent innovations in atomized spray dust control is a totally self-contained dust suppression 

system, outfitted with its own generator and water source. [Photo courtesy Pece of Mind, Inc.]

For site-specific applications, some manufacturers have developed tower mounts that allow users to improve targeting and 

delivery to high-dust areas, while freeing up space for vehicle traffic or other equipment. (See Figure 3.) The tower-mounted 

dust suppressor uses remote control for convenient operation or automation via sensors, while retaining full oscillation 

capabilities over a wide coverage area.

Figure 3: Recent developments in dust suppression include a tower mount design that delivers precise targeting while 

freeing up ground space for vehicles and other equipment, while retaining key features such as remote control and 

oscillation.

Another demolition company’s engineers have outfitted a boom-mounted suppression system that allows crews to significantly 

extend the unit’s reach and effectiveness in high-rise applications, even as a structure is being demolished. (See photo 2.) The 

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accurate delivery.

Photo 2: A boom-mounted suppression system allows crews to significantly extend the unit’s reach and effectiveness 

in high-rise applications. [Photo courtesy Brandenburg Industrial Service Co.]

The effectiveness and versatility of the atomized spray systems appear to be gaining popularity among demolition firms, 

representing a truly portable dust control option that delivers greater suppression efficiency than much larger fixed systems or 

manual spraying techniques, at a fraction of the cost. As public awareness and industry regulations in Europe and the U.S. 

become more focused on reducing the risks associated with demolition dust, C&D contractors are likely to find that effective 

suppression is no longer a luxury, but a critical element of virtually every project in urban and suburban environments.

References

1. D’Agostino, B., Mikulis, M., & Bridgers, M. (2007): FMI & CMAA Eighth Annual Survey of Owners; Raleigh, NC: FMI.

2. Safeguarding Health in Construction Work, by M.R. Trice, Industrial Hygienist, Division on Industrial Hygiene of the NC 

State Board of Health and the NC Industrial Commission, Presented at the annual meeting of the NC Section, American 

Society of Civil Engineers, January 10, 1942, Duke University, Durham, NC, 11 pages, typewritten.

3. “The More We Learn, the More Things Stay the Same: Notes On a Pioneer In Occupational Safety and Health,” Jane L. 

Seegal and John C. Lumsden, downloaded from www.cdc.gov/elcosh/docs/d0100/d000015/d000015.html on 8/15/08.

4. From interview with Lou Gherlone, Spring Street Recycling, West Haven, CT, November 19, 2007.

5. Heymann DL, ed. (2004). Control of communicable diseases manual. 18th ed. Washington, DC: American Public Health 

Association, pp. 273-275.

6. Lenhart, S., Schafer, M., Singal, M., & Hajjeh, R. (2004): Histoplasmosis: Protecting workers at risk; Cincinnati, OH; 

National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health.

7. OSHA Instruction (Directive CPL 03-00-007, National Emphasis Program – Crystalline Silica, effective January 24th, 

2008.

8. NIOSH Hazard Review: Health effects of occupational exposure to respirable crystalline silica; Cincinnati, OH: U.S. 

Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Institute for 

Occupational Safety and Health, DHSS Publication No. 2002-129.

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