November is Lung Cancer Awareness Month in Canada. For those working in, or supplying equipment to, demolition and construction industries, here’s an important reminder of the dangers of silica dust on the job.Among the occupational hazards on job sites, respirable crystalline silica (silica dust) remains a silent but serious threat. In Canada, it’s estimated that:
⚠️About 380,000 Canadian workers are exposed to crystalline silica on the job every year.
⚠️Annually, around 570 lung cancer cases in Canada are attributed to silica exposure at work (roughly 2.4% of all lung cancer diagnoses)
These numbers underscore the gravity of the risk: even in our developed country with regulated workplaces, silica exposure harms and kills.
Why Silica Dust Is Dangerous on Construction Sites
Construction, renovation, and concrete/asphalt work all commonly generate respirable silica dust when materials like concrete, masonry, brick, tile, or rock are cut, ground, drilled, polished, or broken.
When inhaled, fine silica particles penetrate deep into the lungs, triggering inflammation, scarring (silicosis), and—over time—increasing the risk of lung cancer, and other respiratory problems.
Thus, in construction and surface-prep work, controlling silica dust isn’t something optional — it’s an essential health imperative. That’s why we always recommend pairing every grinder with an EDCO industrial vacuum / dust extraction system. It significantly reduces exposure, which helps prevent lung cancer and save lives.
How EDCO Vacuums Help Protect Workers from Silica Dust
EDCO Industrial Vacuums are designed to integrate with cutting, grinding, and surface-prep machines. They seamlessly connect with EDCO machines but also work with other brands of surface prep equipment. Here’s how EDCO Vacuums contribute to a healthier, safer worksite:
✅Capture dust at the point of generation — EDCO vacuums attach near blades, grinders, or tools, pulling in dust before it mixes into the air.
✅HEPA high-efficiency filtration — Filtering out very fine, respirable particles so cleaner air is exhausted.
✅ Portability and integration — Designed to be used alongside mobile saws, grinders, and other site tools, making dust control more practical on job sites.
✅ Compliance support — Using vacuums helps meet regulatory and best-practice standards for silica exposure reduction.
✅Extended equipment life & lower cleanup — Less dust means less wear on tools and reduced clean-up burden, improving efficiency and cost-effectiveness.
If you don’t already use or rent out EDCO Vacuum Systems for surface prep and grinding projects, now is the time to change that. Remember, always pair a grinder with a vacuum. Together we can reduce worker exposure to silica dust, prevent lung cancer and save lives.