Hey everyone! So, my husband and I have been working on our garden lately. He was cutting some porcelain tiles outside and didn't use a wet saw because he figured it wasn't necessary. We kept the doors and windows shut the whole time, and he cleaned everything up with water afterward. Our 7-month-old baby was napping indoors while this was happening, and I waited about an hour after he finished before letting our baby back into the area. Now, after some late-night Googling, I'm really worried about potential silica dust exposure. I've come across so many scary stories about how it can linger in the air for days! I'm feeling super anxious and would really appreciate any reassurance. Thanks a ton!
3 Answers
Honestly, your worry is understandable but unfounded. Given that the cutting took place outside and your baby was safely indoors, the exposure risk is minimal. Silica dust from one cutting session isn't a health threat; it's the long-term exposure that people talk about. You did the right thing by keeping things clean and controlled!
As someone who works in occupational safety, I can tell you that the concern over one-time silica dust exposure is generally overstated. Silica can cause chronic health issues with long-term exposure, but a single exposure, especially outdoors with good ventilation, is unlikely to cause harm. Your baby was indoors and away from the dust during the cutting. So unless there were immediate symptoms, which I doubt, you should worry less!
You're probably fine! If the cutting was done outside and you cleaned up properly, then your baby should be okay. Dust hanging in the air usually is a concern in enclosed spaces without airflow, but you guys took precautions. So, try to relax a bit about it!
That's reassuring to hear! I felt a bit silly worrying so much about one incident.