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Are we SPECIFICALLY talking about CEMENT dust here? Or dusting in general?
If it's cement, then I can understand the Health and Safety issue: [quote] Inhaling high levels of dust may occur when workers empty bags of cement. In the short term, such exposure irritates the nose and throat and causes choking and difficult breathing. Sanding, grinding, or cutting concrete can also release large amounts of dust containing high levels of crystalline silica. Prolonged or repeated exposure can lead to a disabling and often fatal lung disease called silicosis. Some studies also indicate a link between crystalline silica exposure and lung cancer.
NOTE: Prolonged or repeated exposure Not 10 or 15 minutes on the odd weekend...
At Donington, Mallory and Silverstone, we use plaster dust, a far safer alternative which doesn't go as greasy when the elements subsequently dump rain on the track after you've spent ages brushing the damned stuff in!
The risks of plaster are [quote]:
Inhalation: Plaster dust can cause short term irritation of the respiratory system, no known long term effects.
Skin contact: Powder or wet mix may cause dry skin leading to irritation if contact is prolonged or if the skin is sensitive.
Eye contact: Irritation can be experienced due to powder or wet mix splashes, the eyes must be washed out immediately, to reduce the discomfort and possibility of long term damage.
Ingestion: Swallowing small quantities of powder or wet mix will not cause any significant reaction or long term damage.
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