Abrasive blasting is a widely used method for removing surface contaminants, encompassing a variety of abrasive blasting medias from highly abrasive (e.g., garnet) to moderately abrasive (e.g., crushed glass) to non-destructive abrasive (e.g., baking soda). Because all types of blasting involve forcibly propelling media under high pressure against whatever surface is being cleaned, all types of blasting create some level of airborne particulate dust and, as a result, the need for some level of containment during the blasting process.
The most important consideration regarding particulate dust is its level of toxicity, which depends upon three interdependent factors: the substrate being blasted, the contaminants being removed, and the type of blast media used. Substrates such as concrete and sandstone masonry, for instance, are partially comprised of toxic materials; the more abrasive the blast media, the more toxic substrate is forced into the air in the form of dust during blasting. The same holds true for the toxic contaminants being removed, such as paint chips and many types of coatings.