Health & Safety (US)

Investing in a Safer Working Environment

Silica and Cristobalite, a thermally processed form of silica, have been fundamental
components of investment casting powder.

Typically they make up 70-80% of the formulation, and it has not been possible to
manufacture a product that works without these two components. Silica also known as Silicon Dioxide or Quartz, is a natural substance found in most rocks, sand and clays. Silica is a common component in many products used on a daily basis around the world. 

Silica dust is only harmful when it’s inhaled deep into your lungs, where oxygen is taken up into the blood.  In simple terms sitting on a sandy beach shouldn’t cause any respiratory harm because any sand particles breathed in will generally be much too big to go beyond your nose or upper airways. But as a very fine airborne dust, silica can be dangerous. It’s the respirable fraction that is hazardous.

Exposure to Respirable Crystaline Silica (RCS) without adequate dust control measures over a long period can cause fibrosis (hardening or scarring) of the lung tissue with a consequent loss of lung function. This condition is more commonly known as Silicosis. Silicosis is a long latency disease which means that it may take a number years after significant exposure for loss of lung function to become prevalent.

Sufferers are likely to have severe shortness of breath and may find it difficult or impossible to walk even short distances or upstairs. The effect continues to develop after exposure has
stopped and is irreversible. Sufferers usually become house or bed-bound and often die prematurely due to heart failure. Silica may also be linked to lung cancer and studies indicate that smoking in conjunction with exposure to RCS can significantly increase risk levels of lung cancer development.