The silica exposure estimates in the Silica Control Tool^TM are based on analysis of a silica exposure measurement database (Data version 8.0). The database consists of over 16000 silica exposure measurements taken from mining workers.

The bulk of the data (11845 measurements) was compiled by researchers at the University of Montréal and the Institut de recherché Robert-Sauvé en santé et sécurité du travail (IRRST). ^(source)

The researchers extracted the measurements from the scientific literature, from government and regulatory reports and databases, and from academic institutions. In 2015 researchers at the University of British Columbia (UBC) School of Population and Public Health updated the database with 3653 additional silica exposure measurements reported in the scientific literature and 294 measurements shared by Canadian construction companies and government agencies. UBC also carried out a targeted silica exposure monitoring campaign at BC construction worksites in 2015 to add 318 silica exposure measurements common construction tasks in BC that were underrepresented in the database.

To adapt the Tool to the mining industry in BC, Occupational Health Inspectors at BC’s Ministry of Mines conducted sampling in 2021 and collected a total of 200 measurements. Mines in BC also contributed to the tool by providing their sampling data.

Not all of the data in the database were used in the development of the tool. The data used in the development of the Silica Control Tool^TM were restricted to measurements that met the following criteria:

• Personal exposure measurements from individual workers (as opposed to area or environmental samples that were placed in the work area but not worn by workers)
• Measurements that underwent chemical analysis for crystalline silica (quartz or cristobalite)
• Measurements that were collected using standardized sampling methods for collecting respirable dust.