Protecting Chimney Sweeps from Silica Exposure: The Role of APF + Respiratory Protection
Mar 06, 2025

Chimney sweeps face serious respiratory risks due to prolonged exposure to silica dust from bricks and mortar, with up to 21% developing respiratory illnesses over time. Inhalation can lead to silicosis, lung cancer, and COPD, making proper protection essential.
Assigned Protection Factors (APFs) determine respirator effectiveness, with options like N95 masks (APF 10) or high-level PAPRs (APF 1,000) offering superior defense. Key safety measures include dust suppression, OSHA compliance, proper respirator selection, training, and regular health monitoring. Peke Safety provides industry-leading respirators to help chimney sweeps work safely in high-dust environments.
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