Occupational dust exposure occurs when small particles are generated at the workplace through the disturbance/agitation of rock/mineral, dry grain, timber, fiber, or other material. When these small particles become suspended in the air, they can pose a risk to the health of those who breath in the contaminated air.
There are many dust-producing activities across a broad range of industries, including agriculture, construction, forestry, and mining. As such, the nature of occupational dust exposures can vary greatly by chemical composition, size, concentration, and toxicity to humans. Depending on the source, dust composition can include mineral dusts, crystals, heavy metals, allergic sensitizers, chemical dusts, molds, spores, and more. Particles generated at workplaces can range in size from microscopic nano-particles (< 0.1 μm) to large, visible dust (50 - 100μm). The concentration of these exposures are affected by their ability to "become airborne depending on their origin, physical characteristics and ambient conditions."[1][2]
Important factors like chemical composition, size, and concentration in the air can have drastic effects on the toxicity of occupational dust exposures. Health effects of exposed worker can range from temporary irritation, to chronic disease, to terminal disease or death. However, these responses can be limited or prevented through proper safety precautions and occupational hygiene. While there is huge variety of dust types and sizes (and their associated diseases), principles of safety and occupational hygiene can be applied to address many [1][2]
In occupational settings, extremely small dust particles are sometimes referred to as particulates, or particulate matter when referring to certain sizes of particles in the ranges of 10 um, 2.5 um, 0.1 um, etc. Suspended dust in the air can also be referred to as an "aerosol" or "particulate aerosol", though "aerosol" is a broad term that encompasses dust along with other suspended solids/liquids such as fumes or mists.[2][3]
- ^ a b "WHO | Hazard prevention and control in the work environment: Airborne dust (WHO, 1999)". WHO. Retrieved 2018-04-08.
- ^ a b c Eide, Mary E.; Lillquist, Dean R. (2011). Anna, Daniel H.; American Industrial Hygiene Association (eds.). The occupational environment: its evaluation, control and management (3rd ed.). Fairfax, Va: American Industrial Hygiene Association. pp. 331–356. ISBN 978-1-935082-15-6. OCLC 778018538.
- ^ "Atmospheric chemistry and physics: from air pollution to climate change". Choice Reviews Online. 35 (10): 35–5721–35-5721. 1998-06-01. doi:10.5860/choice.35-5721. ISSN 0009-4978.