. In this paper, an experimental study was presented which
aimed to investigate the effectiveness of using DustBubbles in
reducing the dust generated in concrete drilling processes using
electric hammers for small-size holes. Personal respirable samples
were collected and analysed for two situations: workers drilling
with DustBubble, and workers drilling without DustBubble. The
respirable dust concentrations and respirable quartz concentrations
were compared. The results revealed that the use of Dust
Bubble could reduce the respirable dust concentrations by 63%.
However, there was no evidence that the use of Dust Bubble could
reduce the respirable quartz exposure. Dust Bubble alone is inadequate
and other dust control measures (e.g. wet methods, LEV and
PPEs) should be taken to reduce the quartz exposure level to below
the exposure limit. Since DustBubble could reduce the respirable
dust significantly, further research should be conducted to further
evaluate and improve the effectiveness of DustBubbles (especially
on respirable silica dust).