Fugitive Dust Handbook

12.0   Abrasive Blasting

Abrasive blasting is the use of abrasive material to clean and prepare metal or masonry surfaces prior to painting. Sand is the most widely used blasting abrasive. Other abrasive materials include coal slag, smelter slag, cast iron grit, cast iron shot, steel shot, garnet, walnut shells, carbon dioxide pellets, as well as synthetic abrasives such as silicon carbide, aluminum oxide, and glass or plastic beads. The PM emission estimation methodology presented in the fugitive dust handbook is taken from Section 13.2.6 of AP-42 (last updated in September 1997). The sample control measure cost-effectiveness calculation spreadsheet presented for this source category involves using a fabric filtration system to capture particles from sand blasting of mild steel.