Cutting tile, stone and concrete without breathing the dust

Sand, stone, concrete, mortar and brick contain crystalline silica, and so do ceramics and engineered stone. Some engineered stone is up to 95 percent crystalline silica.

Cutting, grinding, polishing or drilling them throws off silica particles at least 100 times smaller than beach sand, small enough to breathe deep into the lungs. Breathing too much of it causes silicosis, a lung disease that can't be cured or reversed. It also raises the risk of lung cancer, COPD and kidney disease. A tile job, a row of pavers or a hole in a concrete wall can all raise this dust.

What you need

• A wet tile saw, or a saw or grinder that feeds water to the blade
• For dry tools, a dust shroud and a vacuum with a HEPA filter
• A garden hose or a spray bottle
• A respirator

Steps

1. 1

   Put water on the blade

   Water on the saw blade substantially reduces the dust from cutting stone, rock, concrete, brick and block. Use a wet saw, or a tool with a water feed, and keep the water running for each cut.

   5 min

2. 2

   Use a vacuum where water won't work

   For drilling or grinding that can't be done wet, fit the tool with a dust shroud connected to a vacuum with a HEPA filter. Where the tool allows it, use water and the vacuum together.

   10 min

3. 3

   Wear a respirator when the controls aren't enough

   Wear a respirator when water and a vacuum can't keep the dust down.

   5 min

4. 4

   Clean up without raising the dust

   Don't dry sweep or blow the dust off with compressed air. Wet the area and wipe or mop it, or use the HEPA vacuum. Change the water and the vacuum filters when they need it, or as the maker's instructions say.

   10 min

Choosing the respirator

Dust masks and respirators for home projects covers what an N95 filters, telling an approved one from a fake, and checking the seal each time you put it on.