WARNING! Cutting, especially when DRY
!cutting, generates dust that comes from the material being cut, which frequently contains silica. Silica is a basic component of sand, quartz, brick clay, granite and numerous other minerals and rocks. Exposure to excessive amount of such dust can cause:
Respiratory disease (affecting your ability to breath), including chronic bronchitis, silicosis and pulmonary fibrosis from exposure to silica. These diseases may be fatal;
Skin irritation and rash.
Cancer according to NTP* and IARC*
*/ National Toxicology Program, International Agency for Resaearch on Cancer
Take precautionary steps:
Avoid inhalation of and skin contact with dust, mist and fumes.
Wear and ensure that all bystanders wear appropriate respiratory protection such as dust masks designed to filter out microscopic particles. (See OSHA 29 CFR Part 1910.1200)
Wet cut when feasible, to minimize dust.