Renovation dusts

This page provides information about the various types of renovation dusts people can be exposed to whilst doing renovation activities, what can be done to minimise exposure to these dusts and how to clean up renovation dust effectively. 

Do-it-yourself (DIY) renovation can be a dusty job.

Dust, and fibres, that may be generated from renovation activities can be irritating to your eyes, nose and throat, while some can cause your skin to itch. Very fine dust and fibres can be breathed deep into your lungs and cause breathing problems if you are sensitive to these dusts and fibres. 

Some renovation dusts and fibres are hazardous when they contain asbestos, respirable crystalline silica or lead. 

Before you start any renovation work you should be fully aware of the products and materials that you are working on so that you can take all necessary precautions. For any work that will create dust you should, at the very least, wear a proper face mask or respirator. 

What are renovation dusts?
These are any dusts or fibres that are generated by repair jobs, renovation, demolition or restoration work.
How are renovation dusts generated?
Cutting, grinding, sanding, scraping, sawing or demolishing new and old building materials can generate dust and fibres, while dust and fibres that have accumulated behind walls and in roof spaces can become airborne when you remove or cut through walls and ceilings.
Are renovation dusts dangerous?

It will depend on the size and composition of the dust and fibres. Large dust particles and fibres will mostly be captured in your nose and throat. They can also get in your eyes and fall on your skin. These larger particles can irritate your eyes, nose, throat and skin. This can cause cough, runny nose, and itchy eyes, nose and skin but this will only be for the short-term.

Very fine dust can be generated when you are sawing, cutting, grinding and scraping, particularly if you are using power-tools. The finer dust, which is invisible to the naked eye, can get deep into your lungs. This may cause some breathing problems, particularly if you have an existing respiratory disease, such as asthma, and are sensitive to dust.
 
Some dusts and fibres can be dangerous if they contain certain chemicals or compounds, such as asbestos, respirable crystalline silica, lead, formaldehyde or mould. These are discussed below.

Asbestos

Asbestos was used widely in building materials up until the mid to late 1980s. Many homes that were built before 1990 will still contain asbestos materials and products. These include walls, roofs, fencing, eaves, and insulation (although asbestos was not used widely as roof insulation in WA). More information about asbestos in the home can be found on the HealthyWA website (asbestos).

Asbestos can cause some cancers, such as mesothelioma, lung, laryngeal and ovarian cancer, and asbestosis. There is no known safe level of asbestos exposure and therefore you need to try to avoid any exposure to fibres; however, if you have been exposed it doesn’t mean you will get disease. There are strong regulations for the removal of asbestos. For homeowners the relevant regulations are the Health (Asbestos) Regulations (external site). If your house was built before 1990 and you are unsure if it contains asbestos, you should either check with an expert or treat any material you are going to work with as asbestos and follow the regulations.

You should never grind, sand or use power tools on material that might contain asbestos. If you do accidentally use power tools, on material that you later discover contained asbestos, it does not mean that you will develop an asbestos related disease. Asbestos related diseases do not commonly occur without multiple exposures over several years.

Respirable crystalline silica

Silica is found in many common construction materials including, brick, cement, concrete, drywall, grout, and tile. The products with the highest silica content are engineered stone benchtops. Silica in construction material is not a problem until it is cut or ground to create very fine particles [respirable crystalline silica (RCS)] that can be breathed into your lungs.

 

Respirable crystalline silica can cause lung cancer and a lung disease called silicosis. Unlike asbestos, silica is still mainly an occupational exposure problem and most cases of silicosis, and silica-related lung cancer, are due to long-term and/or repeated high exposures in the workplace. However, home renovators still need to be cautious when cutting or grinding material such bricks, concrete and engineered stone.

Lead

Before 1970, paints containing high levels of lead were used in many Australian houses. Lead was phased out of paint from that time, although it is still present in trace amounts. As with any of the substances mentioned here, lead in house paint is a problem only if it is disturbed and can be either breathed in or eaten/swallowed. Flaking lead-based paint can be a problem, particularly for children who may purposefully or accidentally put the flakes in their mouth. Sanding lead paint can be a problem as it will create fine dust that can be breathed in.

Lead can cause immediate (acute) and long-term (chronic) health effects. Information about acute and chronic effects of lead can be found on the HealthyWA website (lead).

Wood dust and formaldehyde

Both natural wood and composite wood products will generate fine dust when cut or sanded. Composite wood products are made of strands, particles, fibres, or boards of wood held together with glues. These products are commonly used in the manufacture of furniture, cupboards, flooring, and wooden children’s toys. The glue, or resin, that is used in composite wood products contains formaldehyde. Formaldehyde is also a naturally occurring chemical in wood

Both wood dust and formaldehyde, independently, can cause health problems. High levels of wood dust can cause cancers in the nose, as can formaldehyde. Again, these cancers occur predominantly in people who work with wood and composite wood products and, therefore, have long-term exposure. Short-term exposures to either wood dusts or formaldehyde can cause irritation of the eyes, nose, and throat, coughing, wheezing, nausea, and skin irritation.

Man-made mineral fibres (MMMF)

A lot of insulation material is made from various MMMF, like fibreglass and mineral wool. Over time insulation can break down and deteriorate. This happens from normal wear and tear and if animals nest in your roof space. Therefore, fibres and particles can come loose and airborne if disturbed.

There is not strong evidence that MMMF are carcinogenic, even with high occupational exposures, and they do not seem to cause other lung disease in workers. Risk of disease from MMMF insulation in the home is therefore extremely low. However, some people may find that these fibres can irritate the skin, eyes and throat.

Other biological dusts 

Accumulated dust in hidden spaces may contain mould spores, animal dander, plant pollen and other materials from the local environment that can cause irritation of eyes nose and throat when released into the air during a renovation.

 

Which renovation tasks create the most dust?

The renovation tasks that generate the greatest amount of dust are 

  • Using power tools to cut, grind, drill or prepare a surface
  • Sanding plaster board or other surfaces
  • Dry sweeping debris

 

How do I minimise renovation dust?

Always consider ways to reduce the amount of dust you are likely to produce before you start and during your repair, renovation or restoration. For instance -

  • Reduce the amount of cutting or preparation needed by purchasing the right size of building materials
  • Choose the work method that creates the least amount of dust
  • Where dust in unavoidable, it is best to reduce the amount of dust getting into the air and spreading. This can include -
    • use water – water is effective for damping down dust, but it is important to use enough water. Damping down the immediate area before cutting isn't enough. Water must be used to damp down an area the entire time that the work is being done.
    • use a vacuum extraction – where possible use equipment fitted with an industrial vacuum that contains and stores the dust until its emptied.
    • tape up vents and openings.
    • oventilate an area by keeping doors and windows to the outside open.
    • close internal doors or use plastic sheets to close-off internal spaces.
    • cut materials outside in the open air wherever possible
    • work outside if the job allows it
    • pack away anything that isn’t necessary
    • use drop-sheets to cover floors, furniture and other surfaces e.g. bench tops
    • avoid trailing dust into living areas
  • Clean up at the end of each day to prevent dust from building up. It is best to clean up by vacuuming and wet wiping surfaces rather than sweeping and dry dusting.
How do I protect myself from dust when it can’t be avoided?

If you are going to generate dust, take precautions to minimise your exposure. At the very least wear a P2 (sometimes labelled - P2/N95) rated mask*, or a respirator if necessary. Make sure the mask fits snugly over your mouth and nose to filter out the fine particles and change it regularly as recommended by the manufacturer. You should wear goggles to protect your eyes and if your skin is easily irritated you may need to wear long sleeves and trousers.  Consider wearing disposable overalls or coveralls so dust does not contaminate your clothes. Remove them before entering the living areas. Launder dust covered clothes separately to avoid spreading dust to other clothes. Practise good hygiene and avoid eating and drinking in dusty areas.

*P2 face masks are widely available from hardware stores.

How can I clean up effectively and safely?

Clean up tips

  • Clean daily during renovations
  • Wear an appropriate mask when cleaning up
  • Dust accumulates where it lands so always start up high and work your way down
  • Use a vacuum to remove as much dust as possible
  • Go over the surface with a wet mop, particularly floors

 

Last reviewed: 29-01-2021
Produced by

Environmental Health Directorate

More Information 

Chemical Hazards

Email: DOH.ChemicalHazards@health.wa.gov.au

Phone: (08) 9222 2000