Media[edit]

In the early 1900s, it was assumed that sharp-edged grains provided the best performance, but
this was later demonstrated not to be correct. [3]
Mineral: Silica sand can be used as a type of mineral abrasive. It tends to break up quickly,
creating large quantities of dust, exposing the operator to the potential development of
silicosis, a debilitating lung disease. To counter this hazard, silica sand for blasting is often
coated with resins to control the dust. Using silica as an abrasive is not allowed in Germany,
United Kingdom, Sweden, or Belgium for this reason.[4] Silica is a common abrasive in
countries where it is not banned.[5]
Another common mineral abrasive is garnet. Garnet is more expensive than silica sand, but if
used correctly, will offer equivalent production rates while producing less dust and no safety
hazards from ingesting the dust. Magnesium sulphate, or kieserite, is often used as an
alternative to baking soda.
Agricultural: Typically, crushed nut shells or fruit kernels. These soft abrasives are used to
avoid damaging the underlying material such when cleaning brick or stone, removing graffiti,
or the removal of coatings from printed circuit boards being repaired.
Synthetic: This category includes corn starch, wheat starch, sodium bicarbonate, and dry ice.
These "soft" abrasives are also used to avoid damaging the underlying material such when
cleaning brick or stone, removing graffiti, or the removal of coatings from printed circuit
boards being repaired. Sodablasting uses baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) which is
extremely friable, the micro fragmentation on impact exploding away surface materials
without damage to the substrate.
Additional synthetic abrasives include process byproducts (e.g., copper slag, nickel slag, and
coal slag), engineered abrasives (e.g., aluminum oxide, silicon carbide or carborundum, glass
beads, ceramic shot/grit), and recycled products (e.g., plastic abrasive, glass grit).
Metallic: Steel shot, steel grit, stainless steel shot, cut wire, copper shot, aluminum shot, zinc
shot.
Many coarser media used in sandblasting often result in energy being given off as sparks or
light on impact. The colours and size of the spark or glow varies significantly, with heavy
bright orange sparks from steel shot blasting, to a faint blue glow (often invisible in sunlight
or brightly lit work areas) from garnet abrasive. [6]

Safety[edit]

Worker sandblasting without the use of proper personal protective equipment. His face is
covered with a bandana instead of a replaceable particulate filter respirator.
Cleaning operations using abrasive blasting can present risks for workers' health and safety,
specifically in portable air blasting or blast room (booth) applications. Although many
abrasives used in blasting rooms are not hazardous in themselves, (steel shot and grit, cast
iron, aluminum oxide, garnet, plastic abrasive and glass bead), other abrasives (silica sand,
copper slag, nickel slag, and staurolite) have varying degrees of hazard (typically free silica
or heavy metals). However, in all cases their use can present serious danger to operators, such
as burns due to projections (with skin or eye lesions), falls due to walking on round shot
scattered on the ground, exposure to hazardous dusts, heat exhaustion, creation of an
explosive atmosphere, and exposure to excessive noise. Blasting rooms and portable blaster's
equipment have been adapted to these dangers.[citation needed] Blasting lead-based paint can fill the
air with lead particles which can be harmful to the nervous system. [7]
In the US the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) mandates engineered
solutions to potential hazards, however silica sand continues to be allowed even though most
commonly used blast helmets are not sufficiently effective at protecting the blast operator if
ambient levels of dust exceed allowable limits. Adequate levels of respiratory protection for
blast operations in the United States is approved by the National Institute for Occupational
Safety and Health (NIOSH).
Typical safety equipment for operators includes:

Positive pressure blast hood or helmet The hood or helmet includes a head
suspension system to allow the device to move with the operator's head, a view
window with replaceable lens or lens protection and an air-feed hose.

Grade-D air supply (or self-contained oil-less air pump) The air feed hose is
typically attached to a grade-D pressurized air supply. Grade-D air is mandated by
OSHA to protect the worker from hazardous gases. It includes a pressure regulator,
air filtration and a carbon monoxide monitor/alarm. An alternative method is a selfcontained, oil-less air pump to feed pressurized air to the blast hood/helmet. An oilless air pump does not require an air filter or carbon monoxide monitor/alarm,
because the pressurized air is coming from a source that cannot generate carbon
monoxide.
Hearing protection ear muffs or ear plugs
Body protection Body protection varies by application but usually consists of gloves
and overalls or a leather coat and chaps. Professionals would wear a cordura/canvas
blast suit (unless blasting with steel abrasives, then they would use a leather suit). [8]

In the past, when sandblasting was performed as an open-air job, the worker was exposed to
risk of injury from the flying material and lung damage from inhaling the dust. The silica dust
produced in the sandblasting process would cause silicosis after sustained inhalation of the
dust. In 1918, the first sandblasting enclosure was built, which protected the worker with a
viewing screen, revolved around the workpiece, and used an exhaust fan to draw dust away
from the worker's face.[9]
Sandblasting also may present secondary risks, such as falls from scaffolding and absorption
of lead particles when removing lead-based paint from infrastructure.[7]
Several countries and territories now regulate sandblasting such that it may only be
performed in a controlled environment using ventilation, protective clothing and breathing air
supply.