Silicosis

definition
Silicosis is a serious lung disease caused by inhaling respirable crystalline silica dust. Prolonged exposure damages lung tissue, reduces breathing capacity, and can be fatal. It is a well known risk in industries where sandblasting or dry abrasive blasting is used.

Where is silicosis a risk?

Silicosis occurs wherever traditional open blasting creates silica dust clouds, such as:

• Shipyards and marine maintenance – hull blasting with silica sand.
• Construction & infrastructure – bridges, steel structures, concrete work.
• Oil & Gas – open blasting of tanks, rigs, and pipelines.
• Chemical & Petrochemical – vessel preparation with unsafe abrasives.

For you as an HSE manager or contractor, silicosis is a key reason why silica sand blasting is banned in most countries. Operators must be protected with safe, dust-free technologies.

Extra explanation and regulations

• Health effects: chronic cough, breathing difficulties, higher risk of tuberculosis, lung cancer and COPD.
• No cure: silicosis is irreversible and progressive.
• Regulations:
  • EU Directive 2017/2398 regulates occupational exposure to respirable crystalline silica.
    • OSHA (USA) sets strict permissible exposure limits.
    • Many countries prohibit silica sand in abrasive blasting.

Pinovo and silicosis prevention

Pinovo’s closed-loop vacuum blasting eliminates airborne dust, including silica particles, by:

• Immediate dust capture at the nozzle.
• Media recycling – no uncontrolled sand dispersion.
• ATEX-certified safety – reducing explosion risks as well.
• Operator protection – drastically lower exposure compared to open blasting.