Professional Silica Abatement Services
At 24-7 Restoration, we’ve built our reputation on responding fast when a property presents a hazard someone else might miss. Silica dust is exactly that kind of hazard. We provide silica dust testing, silica abatement, and post-remediation clearance for Boulder homeowners, contractors, and commercial property managers.
Trusted Silica Abatement Specialists in:
What Is Silica Dust Exposure, and Why Should Boulder Property Owners Care?
Silica dust consists of tiny particles of crystalline silica, a mineral found in materials like concrete, sand, stone, brick, and mortar. Silica dust exposure happens when building materials like concrete, brick, mortar, and stone are cut, ground, drilled, or crushed, releasing microscopic particles that are small enough to lodge deep in the lungs.
Silica dust is not visible to the naked eye, and it’s one of the most under-addressed hazards we see in Boulder County today. Call 303-485-1730 to book a quote, or fill out the online form.
Why Is Silica Dust a Hazard?
Crystalline silica is a natural mineral found in sand, stone, concrete, brick, and mortar. That means it’s in the walls, floors, and foundations of nearly every building in Boulder. On its own, it’s harmless. The danger starts when it’s disturbed. Cutting a concrete slab, grinding mortar joints, sandblasting a facade, or even sweeping up demolition debris can send fine particles into the air, where they stay suspended long enough to be inhaled into the lungs.
Unlike ordinary construction dust, exposure is cumulative and largely irreversible. Repeated inhalation is linked to silicosis, chronic bronchitis, lung cancer, and kidney disease. Most of these conditions don’t show symptoms until years after exposure so, by the time someone notices a problem, the damage has already been done.
Latest OSHA Silica Dust Regulations
Federal silica dust regulations have become considerably stricter over the past decade, and enforcement has increased since then. OSHA’s respirable crystalline silica standards (29 CFR 1926.1153 for construction and 29 CFR 1910.1053 for general industry) set a permissible exposure limit of 50 micrograms per cubic meter of air, averaged over an 8-hour shift, with an action level of 25 micrograms per cubic meter that triggers additional monitoring and medical surveillance obligations.
Silica Dust Safety Isn't Optional
If you’re a contractor, developer, or property manager in Boulder, silica dust safety isn’t optional. Non-compliance can mean significant fines, project delays, and, more importantly, long-term harm to the people working on your site. We can help you get ahead of this by building silica dust testing and abatement into your schedule from the start.
Our Silica Dust Testing and Abatement Process
Here’s how we approach every silica abatement project in Boulder, CO:
At 24-7 Restoration, we work fast because we know that a stalled job site costs you money, but we never cut corners.
Why Boulder Property Owners and Contractors Chose 24-7 Restoration
We understand the local building stock, we know what Boulder County and Colorado OSHA-adjacent enforcement tends to look for, and we are set up to respond quickly when a project needs testing or abatement on short notice. Whether you’re managing a single-family renovation or overseeing a multi-building commercial project, we scale our crew and equipment to suit the job.
If you suspect silica dust exposure on your property, or you want testing done before work begins, please get in touch. We’ll walk the site, explain what we’re looking for, and give you a plan before any work starts.
FAQ: Silica Dust Exposure and Abatement
There's no immediate way to detect silica dust exposure. It doesn't sting your eyes or make you cough in the same way some irritants do. The only way to know is through professional silica dust testing, which measures airborne particle concentrations against established safety standards.
Long-term exposure is linked to silicosis, chronic bronchitis, kidney disease, emphysema, and lung cancer. These tend to develop gradually, often many years after exposure, which is why prevention and early testing matter more than treatment after the fact.
General air quality testing broadly assesses particulates, mold spores, VOCs, and allergens. OSHA's silica dust testing guidelines specifically measure respirable crystalline silica. This necessitates the right sampling equipment and lab analysis rather than a general-purpose sensor.
While OSHA's rules for silica testing are written around employer-employee relationships, silica dust doesn't care whether a job is residential or commercial. If the work you're doing involves concrete cutting, tile demolition, brick grinding, or similar work, it can generate an exposure risk.
It depends on the size of the affected area and the extent of contamination, but most residential and commercial jobs can be assessed, contained, and cleared within a few days. Larger commercial sites with ongoing construction may need a longer monitoring schedule.
Yes, it can. Without proper containment, respirable silica particles can travel through HVAC systems, open doorways, onto clothing and equipment, and settle in adjacent rooms or units. That's why containment setup is an essential part of any abatement plan.
We immediately move into full abatement by sealing the area, using wet suppression and HEPA-filtered extraction, and retesting until levels are confirmed safe. We provide documentation of the entire process.
Costs vary based on square footage, the extent of contamination, and whether the project needs ongoing checks or a one-time clearance. We provide a detailed breakdown and cost after our assessment, so you know exactly what to expect before work begins.
Hear From Our Past Clients
Take a look at what some of our past clients have said about our work.
Concerned About Silica Dust on Your Boulder Property?
Whether you’re a contractor trying to stay ahead of silica dust regulations or a property owner who wants peace of mind before starting a renovation, we’re ready to help. Call 303-485-1730 or fill out the online form to schedule silica dust testing or silica abatement in Boulder, CO.
