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Silica Vacuum Warning
Grinding/sanding of masonry, concrete, metal and other materials with silica in
their composition may give off dust or mists containing crystalline silica.
Silica is a basic component of sand, quartz, brick clay, granite and numerous other minerals and rocks.
Repeated and/or substantial inhalation of airborne crystalline silica can cause serious or fatal respiratory
diseases, including silicosis. In addition, California and some other authorities have listed respirable
crystalline silica as a substance known to cause cancer. When grinding such materials, always follow
respiratory precautions. Use appropriate NIOSH-approved respiratory protection and OSHA approved
vacuum where dust hazard may occur.
CALIFORNIA PROPOSITION 65 MESSAGE Some dust created by power sanding, sawing, grinding, drilling,
and other construction activities contain chemicals known (to the State of California) to cause cancer,
birth defects or other reproductive harm. Some examples of these chemicals are: • Lead, from lead-
based paints • Crystalline silica from bricks, cement and other masonry products • Arsenic and
chromium, from chemically treated lumber. For further information, consult the following sources:
http://www.osha.gov/dsg/topics/silicacrystalline/index.html
http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/docs/96-112/
http://oehha.ca.gov/prop65/law/P65law72003.html
http://www.dir.ca.gov/Title8/sub4.html
Your risk from these exposures varies depending on how often you do this type of work. To reduce your
exposure to these chemicals, work in a well-ventilated area, and work with approved safety equipment,
such as dust masks that are specially designed to filter out microscopic particles. The use of a dust
extraction device should always be used when grinding/sanding dry with Onfloor equipment. To achieve
a high level of dust collection, use an industrial HEPA vacuum cleaner.
