Quiz: Test your knowledge of dust

Correct answer: That’s right, all dust is potentially bad for our health, especially in high concentrations and, for this reason, it’s best to minimise our exposure. However, some kinds of dust we may encounter at work are more dangerous than others. For example, the tiniest particles of crystalline silica dust are particularly dangerous – the respirable fraction.

Incorrect answer: Not quite. All dust is potentially bad for our health and, for this reason, it’s best to minimise our exposure. Larger particles are expelled by the body’s natural defences after limited exposure, but finer particles can penetrate deeply into our lungs. The smallest fraction of Respirable Crystalline Silica (RCS) can cause lung irritation and long term health impacts.

Correct answer: That’s correct! Water particles do not generate dust. In fact, using water is one of the five main dust control techniques to limit exposure to Respirable Crystalline Silica (RCS) in the workplace. However, beware that using a powerful water jet on a pile of dust can cause it to become airborne!

Incorrect answer: Sorry, that’s wrong! Pollution, earth and flour are common sources of dust.

Correct answer: That’s correct! Dust fractions that are 10 microns in diameter (1,000 microns = 1 mm) or smaller can get past the body’s natural defences and enter deep into the lungs when inhaled.

Incorrect answer: Sorry, that’s wrong! Any dust particles larger than 100 microns (100th of a millimetre), are caught by the body’s natural defences and expelled from the body.