Bayonet WSC 1943

[Surpmil]

Sandblasting was first banned in the UK as far back as 1949 on health grounds, although the definition of what constituted sand remained vague for a further 50 years. Sandblasting operations create an ultra-fine dust which can contain dangerous amounts of RCS (respirable crystalline silica). It is difficult to avoid breathing in volumes of this dust which has been linked to serious long-term health problems for both operators and unsuspecting consumers.

Inhaling RCS dust exposes people to serious forms of lung disease, including silicosis and COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease). Furthermore, it is also thought that breathing this dust is also a risk factor for lung cancer.
Current Legal Status Of Sandblasting

In 1999, the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) (reg. 4) expressly prohibited the use of ‘silica sand’ for blasting purposes, where the silica concentration exceeds 1%. This ban has been put in place to safeguard both the quality of the environment and also the health of individuals who may otherwise be exposed to such risks.

Comical nannyism. Do they test beaches on windy summer days for airborne silica dust? How about glass factories, should any still exist there?