Dust poses health risk in Christchurch

Working or living close to demolition sites increases risk of dust-related health problems, says a toxicology professor.

Professor Ian Shaw, of the University of Canterbury, said attempts to reduce demolition dust in Christchurch were "variable" and often ineffective.

Residents and workers had been exposed to a lot more dust than in "pre-earthquake days", increasing health risks, he said.

"For most of us this is a very small increase but for demolition workers the risk is much greater."

Asbestos was of concern, but it was "a well-known dust carcinogen and is taken very seriously by building deconstructors".

Mr Shaw said fine respirable concrete dust particles, however, could also lead to potential health risks.

"Studies on workers exposed to concrete dust have shown that crystalline silica is the problem and that it is associated with a broad array of lung diseases, including silicosis and lung cancer," he said.

Demolition of concrete buildings "inevitably produces crystalline silica dust".

The effect of the toxin on health depended on dose, Mr Shaw said.

People who worked with concrete dust were in the top exposure bracket, while the general public were at the bottom.

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Dust poses health risk in Christchurch