Most houses use drywall, or gypsum.
Gypsum board, commonly known as drywall or plasterboard, is a relatively safe material. Its handling rarely leads to lacerations, burns or absorption of toxins. However, no material is safe under all conditions, and gypsum board, too, has its share of provisions. You should take precaution in cutting, storing, lifting and placing gypsum board.
Constituents
Gypsum board primarily consists of gypsum and paper. Gypsum is a rock that is either mined or obtained as a byproduct of industrial processes. Although gypsum board is not toxic when intact, it may contain crystalline silica, or quartz, which can cause lung disease if it becomes airborne. Gypsum board may also contain trace amounts of fiberglass or other synthetic materials.
Acute Health Effects
Almost all adverse health effects occur from the dust released during the machining, sawing or sanding of gypsum board. The dust can affect the lungs, skin and eyes. The acute effects on the lungs are coughing, wheezing, difficulty in breathing and general irritation of the nasal and respiratory tract. The skin may experience redness or itching. The eyes will experience general irritation, as can be expected from any airborne dust or particles.
Chronic Health Effects
Chronic exposure of the skin to gypsum board dust can cause dermatitis. Long-term exposure to crystalline silica can result in a lung disease known as silicosis. Silicosis is characterized by chronic cough and shortness of breath during vigorous activity, and possibly fever and weight loss. The National Toxicology Program also classifies respirable (defined as small enough to inhale) silica as a potential carcinogen. However, industrial hygiene monitoring has not detected respirable silica in gypsum board dust samples generated under recommended procedures.
Handling and Storage
As gypsum board can support the growth of mold (which can affect the respiratory health of occupants), try to store it in a cool, dry place until installation. Be careful to stack boards low enough so that they create no danger of toppling. Use forklifts or mechanical equipment to move and place boards in order to avoid bodily injuries. The "score and snap" method is the preferred cutting technique, in which the board is manually broken along a mechanically incised perforation. Other methods of cutting, such as sawing and machining, create more dust.
Engineering Controls
You should have both personal and environmental measures to minimize and protect against the hazards of gypsum board dust. You should wear a respirator approved by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health when in poorly ventilated areas or whenever dust levels exceed the designated threshold limit values (TLVs). Also wear safety glasses or goggles, gloves, and protective clothing. It is better for the work environment to have adequate ventilation than to require the use of a respirator. Use dust suppression methods, such as wet sanding, when possible.
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