Results from various measurements of airborne dust levels, when holes have been drilled, have been analyzed. The data stems from drilling in concrete and stone at construction workplaces or at simulated construction work. Drill diameters range from 6 to 165 mm. The analysis has been directed at the dependence of airborne dust levels on the diameter of the drilled holes.
It seems that airborne dust generation may be considered to approach to be proportional to the surface area of the holes drilled. For holes, which are intended for carrying loads this would imply that the choice of the distribution between hole size and number of holes to carry a given load, and that the choice would be arbitrary with regard to airborne dust generation. However, the results are uncertain and better data is clearly desirable.