LCS Laboratory offers the Cement Industry a complete package of air sampling equipment, sampling supplies (sampling media), and laboratory testing. After 2 decades in Industrial Hygiene testing, we’d like to outline the most common industry specific tests.
Cement. In Ontario (2013), Portland Cement is regulated as a respirable dust. It’s time weighted average concentration, should not exceed 1 mg/m³ when measured as respirable dust by NIOSH 0600. Only 10-30% of cement particles fall into the category of respirable dust. Particles as large as 100 microns can also be present. Therefore, the total Inhalable dust can also be a good indicator of the level of exposure to cement dust.
Alkaline dust. Cement dust is caustic with a typical pH of 11 and higher. Concentration of free Sodium, Potassium, Calcium, and Magnesium Hydroxides can reach 3-5% by wt. Total Alkaline dust can be tested by NIOSH 7401.
Silica Crystalline. High concentration of crystalline silica is expected in dust produced during crashing and mixing of some raw materials. Quartz (type of crystalline silica) comes from sand, which is basically a pure quartz. As silica passes through the kiln, it’s concentration drops. Therefore raw cement should have only traces of un-reacted silica in it. Crystalline silica should be collected as respirable dust and analyzed by the NIOSH 7602 method.
Aluminium Dust. Aluminium is a major component of cement. It is regulated as a respirable dust at 1 mg/m³ (Ontario, 2013). It can be collected by NIOSH 0600, and analysed by the NIOSH 7301 method.
Trace Metals. Trace metals rarely exceed a concentration of 0.01% in raw materials and cement. They are usually found way below their regulated limits. Some sources suggest that Manganese concentration in raw materials and cement can reach up to 0.3%. At this concentration it is possible to exceed the exposure limit of Manganese. It can be collected by NIOSH 0500, and analysed by NIOSH 7301 method.
The above list deals with the most common and obvious occupational exposures. Other chemicals can and should be routinely monitored to insure worker’s safety.
LCS Laboratory offers full technical support for all your air sampling needs. We will send pre-calibrated equipment with easy to use sampling media. Once the samples are collected and returned to our lab, we will analyze them, and report our findings back to you. If you require any field support, we can recommend an Industrial Hygienist working in your area. If you need to discuss your project or require a quote, please email us at your convenience.
