In order to manufacture products many ceramic industry sub-sectors use powdered crystalline silica. For many years it has been recognized that inhalation of Respirable Crystalline Silica (RCS) can lead to silicosis, which ultimately leads to ill-health through breathing difficulties and even death.

Since the 1930s sensible abatement practices have been developed to virtually eradicate the problem of silicosis. At present different EU states have different limits for RCS. Within Europe the Scientific Committee on Occupational Exposure Limits is working towards identifying a common EU position on mg/m³ levels. One of the difficulties associated with setting common exposure limits for workers is the fact that different forms of crystalline silica appear to pose different threats. A new input to the debate has been the decision by the International Agency on Research in Cancer (IARC) in 1997 to classify RCS as a category 1 carcinogen.

Whilst striving for lower and lower mg/m³ limits is to be applauded, there is a potential danger that companies using RCS (especially SMEs) will be faced with extortionate associated costs (e.g. capital equipment costs, in-house administration costs, testing costs required to demonstrate compliance etc...)

“Siliceram”was a 3-year Framework VI R&D project focusing on SME needs that was completed in September 2007. Using novel airborne powder sampling apparatus, the main aim of the project was to understand more about trends in the particle size and surface chemistry of quartz in factory dusts. This information was then correlated with in-vitro study results to demonstrate how crystalline silica toxicity varies with the characteristics of the dust. Whilst variations according to ceramic sub-sector and process were seen, toxicity was universally demonstrated to be significantly lower than “worst case” Crystalline Silica. It was evident that when silica is blended with other minerals (e.g. clays) there was a coating effect that contributes to lower toxicity. Also of interest was particle size distribution (PSD) data : This indicated that out of the total mgm-3 of airborne crystalline silica, only a percentage of this is likely to reach the inner lung with potential to cause harm. The Wide Range Aerosol Sampler (WRAS) that delivered the PSD data is now available from CERAM for confidential factory monitoring and is a valuable tool in the fight to minimize worker exposure to silica. All the data produced from Siliceram will provide both useful information for legislators and help stimulate work on powder treatments to minimize toxicity.

“Siliceram”was also successful in educating SME partners and the wider SME community on current crystalline silica legislation and abatement options to minimize the level of airborne crystalline silica. As such, “Siliceram” has a strong link with the aims of the Social Dialogue on crystalline silica.

Interested parties are referred to the final project summary, available below as a PDF file.

Final Project Summary [PDF file, 257KB] Project Brochure [PDF file, 1.11MB] July 2007 Newsletter [PDF file, 148KB] December 2006 Newsletter [PDF file, 286KB]