Editing Power tool (section)

==Health impact==
{{see also|Microplastics and human health|Health impacts of sawdust|Metal fume fever|Toxic heavy metal}}
{{expand section|on-tool extraction|small=no|date=March 2023}}

While hand-held power tools are helpful, they also produce large amounts of [[noise]], [[vibration]]s<ref name=database>{{Cite web |url=http://wwwn.cdc.gov/niosh-sound-vibration/default.aspx |title=NIOSH Power tools database |access-date=2009-06-19 |archive-date=2009-11-12 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091112010908/http://wwwn.cdc.gov/niosh-sound-vibration/default.aspx |url-status=dead }}</ref> and [[particulates]] including [[ultrafine particle]]s.<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://www.researchgate.net/publication/280568056 |title=Particulate matter emissions from activities of building refurbishment}}</ref>

Airborne particulate matter is a [[IARC group 1|Group 1 carcinogen]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://ehp.niehs.nih.gov/1408092/|title=EHP – Outdoor Particulate Matter Exposure and Lung Cancer: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis|website=ehp.niehs.nih.gov|access-date=2016-12-29|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160529064001/http://ehp.niehs.nih.gov/1408092/|archive-date=29 May 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref> Particulates are the most harmful form (other than [[Ultrafine particle|ultra-fines]]) of [[air pollution]]<ref>{{cite news |last1=Wasley |first1=Andrew |last2=Heal |first2=Alexandra |last3=Harvey |first3=Fiona |author-link3=Fiona Harvey |last4=Lainio |first4=Mie |date=13 June 2019 |title=Revealed: UK government failing to tackle rise of serious air pollutant |url=https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/jun/13/revealed-uk-government-failing-to-tackle-rise-of-ammonia-serious-air-pollutant |work=The Guardian}}</ref> as they can penetrate deep into the lungs and brain from blood streams, causing health problems such as [[cardiovascular disease|heart disease]], [[respiratory disease|lung disease]], and [[death|premature death]].<ref name="EPA">{{cite web |last1=US EPA |first1=OAR |title=Health and Environmental Effects of Particulate Matter (PM) |url=https://www.epa.gov/pm-pollution/health-and-environmental-effects-particulate-matter-pm |website=US EPA |access-date=5 October 2019 |date=26 April 2016}}</ref> There is no safe level of particulates. A 2013 study concluded that "particulate matter air pollution contributes to lung cancer incidence in Europe".<ref name="Lancet71013">{{cite journal|display-authors=6 |last1=Raaschou-Nielsen |first1=Ole |last2=Andersen |first2=Zorana J |last3=Beelen |first3=Rob |last4=Samoli |first4=Evangelia |last5=Stafoggia |first5=Massimo |last6=Weinmayr |first6=Gudrun |last7=Hoffmann |first7=Barbara |last8=Fischer |first8=Paul |last9=Nieuwenhuijsen |first9=Mark J |last10=Brunekreef |first10=Bert |last11=Xun |first11=Wei W |last12=Katsouyanni |first12=Klea |last13=Dimakopoulou |first13=Konstantina |last14=Sommar |first14=Johan |last15=Forsberg |first15=Bertil |last16=Modig |first16=Lars |last17=Oudin |first17=Anna |last18=Oftedal |first18=Bente |last19=Schwarze |first19=Per E |last20=Nafstad |first20=Per |last21=De Faire |first21=Ulf |last22=Pedersen |first22=Nancy L |last23=Östenson |first23=Claes-Göran |last24=Fratiglioni |first24=Laura |last25=Penell |first25=Johanna |last26=Korek |first26=Michal |last27=Pershagen |first27=Göran |last28=Eriksen |first28=Kirsten T |last29=Sørensen |first29=Mette |last30=Tjønneland |first30=Anne |last31=Ellermann |first31=Thomas |last32=Eeftens |first32=Marloes |last33=Peeters |first33=Petra H |last34=Meliefste |first34=Kees |last35=Wang |first35=Meng |last36=Bueno-de-Mesquita |first36=Bas |last37=Key |first37=Timothy J |last38=de Hoogh |first38=Kees |last39=Concin |first39=Hans |last40=Nagel |first40=Gabriele |last41=Vilier |first41=Alice |last42=Grioni |first42=Sara |last43=Krogh |first43=Vittorio |last44=Tsai |first44=Ming-Yi |last45=Ricceri |first45=Fulvio |last46=Sacerdote |first46=Carlotta |last47=Galassi |first47=Claudia |last48=Migliore |first48=Enrica |last49=Ranzi |first49=Andrea |last50=Cesaroni |first50=Giulia |last51=Badaloni |first51=Chiara |last52=Forastiere |first52=Francesco |last53=Tamayo |first53=Ibon |last54=Amiano |first54=Pilar |last55=Dorronsoro |first55=Miren |last56=Trichopoulou |first56=Antonia |last57=Bamia |first57=Christina |last58=Vineis |first58=Paolo |last59=Hoek |first59=Gerard |title=Air pollution and lung cancer incidence in 17 European cohorts: prospective analyses from the European Study of Cohorts for Air Pollution Effects (ESCAPE) |journal=The Lancet Oncology |date=August 2013 |volume=14 |issue=9 |pages=813–822 |doi=10.1016/S1470-2045(13)70279-1 |pmid=23849838 |url=https://www.openaccessrepository.it/record/23400 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200530082820/https://www.openaccessrepository.it/record/23400 |url-status=dead |archive-date=May 30, 2020 }}</ref> Worldwide, exposure to PM{{sub|2.5}} contributed to 4.1&nbsp;million deaths from heart disease, stroke, lung cancer, chronic lung disease, and respiratory infections in 2016.<ref name="State of Global Air 2018">{{cite web| title=STATE OF GLOBAL AIR/2018 A SPECIAL REPORT ON GLOBAL EXPOSURE TO AIR POLLUTION AND ITS DISEASE BURDEN| publisher=Health Effects Institute| year=2018| url=https://www.stateofglobalair.org/sites/default/files/soga-2018-report.pdf}}</ref> Overall, ambient particulate matter is one of the leading risk factor for premature death globally.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://undark.org/breathtaking|title=The Weight of Numbers: Air Pollution and PM<sub>2.5</sub>|work=Undark|access-date=6 September 2018}}</ref>

Many construction tasks create [[dust]]. High dust levels are caused by one of more the following:
[[File:Dust emission when using electrical power tools.webm|upright|thumb|A high dust level example.]]
* equipment – using high energy tools, such as cut-off saws, grinders, wall chasers and grit blasters produce a lot of dust in a very short time
* work method – dry sweeping can make a lot of dust when compared to vacuuming or wet brushing
* work area – the more enclosed a space, the more the dust will build up
* time – the longer you work the more dust there will be
Examples of high dust level tasks include:
* using power tools to cut, grind, drill or prepare a surface
* sanding taped [[drywall|plaster board]] joints
* dry sweeping<ref name="HSE 2023 z706">{{OGL-attribution|{{cite web | title=Frequently asked questions – Dust | website=HSE GOV.UK| date=13 Jun 2023 | url=https://www.hse.gov.uk/construction/faq-dust.htm | access-date=8 Apr 2024}} }}</ref>

Some industry standards on the size and amount of dust emitted by power tools exist,<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://standards.cencenelec.eu/dyn/www/f?p=CENELEC:110:::::FSP_PROJECT,FSP_ORG_ID:72579,1258713&cs=10E7E0D58EAE008F1E7CAC5A3EB5EED0A | title=EN 50632-1}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web | url=https://standards.cencenelec.eu/dyn/www/f?p=CENELEC:110:::::FSP_PROJECT,FSP_ORG_ID:72582,1258713&cs=18048113CC3EC59A0FB12C6D2C3A16AAF | title=EN 50632-2-5}}</ref> though it appears that they are not widely known or used globally. Knowing that dust is generated throughout the construction process and can cause serious health hazards,<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.hse.gov.uk/construction/faq-dust.htm | title=FAQs - Dust, HSE}}</ref> manufacturers are now marketing power tools that are equipped with [[dust collector]]s (e.g. [[HEPA]] vacuum cleaners) or integrated water delivery system which extract the dust after emission.<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://www.hilti.ca/content/hilti/W1/CA/en/business/business/safety/dust-awareness.html | title=Beware of dust - Hilti Canada}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web | url=https://www.hilti.com.hk/content/hilti/A1/HK/en/company/health-safety-and-environment/dust.html | title=Dust control - Hilti Hong Kong}}</ref> However, the use of such products is still not common in most places. As Q1 2024 petrol powered tools are banned in California.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Shiffler |first=Amanda |date=2023-12-18 |title=California's Green Lawn Care Law: What You Need to Know |url=https://lawnlove.com/blog/california-green-lawn-care-law/ |access-date=2024-03-13 |website=Lawn Care Blog {{!}} Lawn Love |language=en-US}}</ref>

Using power tools without [[Earmuffs|hearing protection]] over a long period of time can put a person at risk for [[hearing loss]]. The U.S. [[National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health]] (NIOSH) has recommended that a person should not be exposed to noise at or above 85&nbsp;[[decibel|dB]], for the sake of [[hearing loss]] prevention.<ref name=occnoise>{{Cite journal | journal = Basis for the Exposure Standard | url = https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/docs/98-126/98-126pd.html | title = Criteria for a Recommended Standard: Occupational Noise Exposure Revised Criteria | year = 1998 | pages = 24–5 }}</ref> Most power tools, including [[drill]]s, [[circular saw]]s, [[belt sander]]s, and [[chainsaw]]s, operate at [[Sound intensity|sound level]]s above the 85&nbsp;dB limit, some even reaching over 100&nbsp;dB.<ref name=database/> NIOSH strongly recommends wearing hearing protection while using these kinds of power tools.<ref>{{Cite book | title = Appendix A: OSHA Noise Standard Compliance Checklist | url = http://origin.cdc.gov/niosh/docs/96-110/pdfs/96-110.pdf | work = Preventing Occupational Hearing Loss: A Practical Guide | editor-last = Franks | editor-first = John R. | pages = 60 | year = 1996 | publisher = U.S. Department of Health and Human Services }}</ref>

===Angle grinder===
{{main|Angle grinder#Safety and health}}