Hey everyone! I'm thinking about picking up about 20 Oldcastle Country Tumbled Wall Shadow Bricks from Home Depot for my garden. I know they contain silica, but I'm not planning on cutting or breaking them. The stack at the store has a lot of dust on them, probably because they're a bit brittle during transport. I'm wondering if it's a health risk to buy a few, load them in my car, and take them home. I really don't want to make a mistake and regret it later. If these bricks are too brittle, should I consider a different type of stone?
1 Answer
Silica is pretty common and you'll find it in lots of things we encounter daily. The main concern is about fine silica dust, especially from cutting or grinding materials. If you're just loading them up in your car, there's not much to worry about. Just wear a mask if it seems really dusty when you're transporting them, but honestly, when was the last time you heard of someone getting silicosis from buying pavers at Home Depot?
I appreciate the reassurance! I really have no clue about this stuff. Just want to be safe, you know? So, when you mention dust, is that just a concern if you're cutting or grinding the bricks?