Silicosis

Silicosis is a serious lung disease caused by inhaling respirable crystalline silica dust. Long-term exposure damages lung tissue, reduces lung function, and can be fatal. Silicosis is a well-known risk in industries where sandblasting or other dry abrasive blasting methods are used.

Where is the risk of silicosis present?

Silicosis can occur wherever traditional open blasting methods generate silica dust, including:

Shipyards and Marine Maintenance – blasting ship hulls using silica sand.
Construction & Infrastructure – bridges, steel structures, and concrete assets.
Oil & Gas – open blasting of tanks, platforms, and pipelines.
Chemical & Petrochemical – surface preparation of vessels using unsuitable blasting media.

For you as an HSE manager or contractor, silicosis is one of the main reasons why silica sand blasting is banned or heavily restricted in many countries. Workers must be protected through safer, dust-free technologies.

Extra explanation and regulations

Health effects – chronic coughing, breathing difficulties, and an increased risk of tuberculosis, lung cancer, and COPD.
No cure – silicosis is irreversible and progressive.

Regulations:

EU Directive 2017/2398 on exposure to respirable crystalline silica.
OSHA (USA) regulations with strict workplace exposure limits.
In many countries, the use of silica sand as a blasting abrasive is prohibited.

Pinovo and silicosis prevention

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

Capturing dust immediately at the blasting nozzle.
Recycling abrasive media, preventing uncontrolled spread of abrasive particles and dust.
Providing ATEX-certified safety, which also reduces explosion risks.
Improving worker protection by significantly reducing exposure compared to traditional open blasting methods.