Tackling Silica Dust Exposure: How AIRsteril Supports Safer Air in High-Risk Workplaces
Silica Dust – Australia’s Silent Killer
Respirable crystalline silica (RCS), commonly known as silica dust, is one of the most dangerous airborne hazards in Australian workplaces today. It is released during activities like cutting, drilling, grinding, or polishing materials such as concrete, brick, stone, and engineered stone. Alarmingly fine—100 times smaller than a grain of sand—these particles penetrate deep into the lungs, causing irreversible damage and fatal diseases like silicosis, lung cancer, and autoimmune disorders.
According to the Workers’ Handbook on Silica Dust, over 600,000 Australian workers are exposed to silica dust annually. With rising diagnoses of silicosis among young workers, urgent intervention is critical.
Where Traditional Controls Stop, AIRsteril Starts
Standard mitigation methods—such as dust suppression systems, ventilation, and personal protective equipment (PPE)—are essential. But alone, they are not always sufficient, especially in enclosed or poorly ventilated environments. That’s where AIRsteril steps in as a complementary and continuous air sanitation solution.
While AIRsteril does not remove silica particles at source (as engineering controls aim to), it significantly improves ambient air quality by targeting airborne particles and secondary contaminants that contribute to respiratory stress.
How AIRsteril Helps in Silica Dust-Exposed Workplaces
AIRsteril by Fortress Air is an advanced air and surface purification system that uses hydroxyls and ions to actively disinfect the air. Its benefits include:
- ✅ Reduction of PM2.5 & PM10 particles – These are the same size range as respirable silica dust. While not specifically a silica-dedicated system, AIRsteril’s ability to reduce particulate matter helps lower overall airborne particle concentration, improving baseline air quality.
- ✅ Prevention of secondary infections – Workers exposed to silica often suffer compromised respiratory systems. AIRsteril reduces pathogens, viruses, mould spores, and bacteria in the air, reducing the risk of respiratory infections that compound silica-related illness.
- ✅ Odour and VOC removal – Workplaces dealing with silica often face additional air pollutants. AIRsteril effectively removes volatile organic compounds and odours, supporting healthier breathing environments.
- ✅ Filter-free and chemical-free operation – AIRsteril offers a low-maintenance, 24/7 solution without the need for costly HEPA filters, making it ideal for continuous use in high-risk industrial zones.
Supporting a Multi-Layered Silica Dust Strategy
AIRsteril is not a substitute for silica dust elimination or suppression. Instead, it serves as part of a holistic, layered defence strategy:
- Primary Controls: Dust suppression, wet cutting, extraction systems, and ventilation.
- Secondary Controls: Housekeeping, PPE, and worker health monitoring.
- Tertiary Controls: AIRsteril – continuously purifying air to minimise residual risks and improve indoor air hygiene.
Ideal Applications
AIRsteril is especially effective in:
- Equipment control rooms
- Site offices
- Change rooms and eating areas
- Enclosed operator cabins
- On-site medical stations
- Manufacturing and processing facilities
A Healthier, Safer Future
The growing awareness of silica-related disease demands urgent action. While legislative reform and employer accountability are key, proactive technological adoption is just as vital. Solutions like AIRsteril can enhance workplace hygiene, protect workers’ health, and reinforce a culture of care and compliance.
Contact AMTG to learn how AIRsteril can be implemented across your worksite or facility.
🌐 www.amtg.com.au
📧 sales@amtg.com.au
📞 0436 607 488 (Stephanie Moore) or +61 8 6189 8778