Health Effects of Terrazzo Dust

Terrazzo is one of the most used materials to make countertops. Terrazzo is also seen as a faux marble for flooring and in other building uses. Terrazzo was first used in the 1970s. It can be made from cement and concrete, or it can be made with different polymers.

Health Risks

• Since terrazzo is made of cement, it is only natural that the health risks that cement has will be carried over by terrazzo. With heavy and long-term exposure to cement, a person can suffer from several health problems. The alkaline compounds in concrete, particularly calcium oxide, can cause corrosion of human tissue. Also, the amounts of chromium prevalent in cement can be the cause of allergic reactions. Last but not the least, the amounts of crystalline silica that are prevalent in cement can damage the lungs and also can cause abrasion in the skin.

Skin Problems

• The skin problems are mainly caused by the drying and caustic properties of cement. There are also several immediate health hazards that a worker faces when working with cement. For example, if mortar or concrete comes in contact with the worker's skin, either through the gloves or the boots, it may cause second or third degree burns. Also, rubbing of mortar against the skin can cause skin ulcers. Injuries caused by mortar rubbing against the skin can be quite serious and may even require skin grafts and hospitalization.

  People who have a long-term exposure to terrazzo may actually become allergic to the chromium content in the cement. The symptoms of this allergy can range from minor skin rashes to skin ulcers.

Eye Irritation

• You may also have immediate reactions that create problems for the eyes. This can be problems like delayed or immediate irritation of the eyes due to exposure to dust in the air. Along with these health hazards, cement can irritate the throat and nose. This can cause workers to choke or have difficulty breathing.