Dust & Fumes

Dust is particulate generated from solids and dispersed into the air by movement, loading, cleaning and handling of organic or inorganic materials such as metal, wood and sand. Fumes are airborne solid particles that are formed when the material from a volatilized solid, usually molten metal, condenses in cool air. A number of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) have been identified in fabrication dusts associated with coke, carbon and organic substance pyrolysis. Fabrication operations create dusty conditions exposing workers to various health risks

Workers may be exposed to various types of dust, including nuisance dust, wood dust, metal dust and formaldehyde dust. Specific illnesses have been linked with exposure to certain types of substances.

Workers may be exposed to wood dusts during machining operations. The inhalation of wood dusts causes a slowing of dust clearance and alteration to the structure of the mucous membrane lining of the nasal cavity. This may be accompanied by the risk of cancer of the nasal cavity and sinuses. Some wood dusts also act as sensitizers that may manifest itself as a skin rash, inflammation or as an asthmatic condition.