Wood dust is a fine particle released during wood processing operations which takes place in many different sectors of numerous industries. Wood dust is released not only when all wood, both hardwood and soft wood, is processed with different types of woodworking machines, but also from operations such as the dusting of pieces, emptying of containers, cleaning of machinery, premises, filters or, simply, material handling. Is wood dust harmful to human health? Yes, hardwood dust in particular is considered to be carcinogenic because the percentage of nasal and paranasal tumours increases when workers exposed to these particles.
Why is inhaling wood dust harmful?
Wood dust is carcinogenic because the microscopic size particles get dispersed in the atmosphere and can be inhaled. Apart from other fundamental microparticle components such as cellulose and lignin, numerous other chemical substances, i.e. tannins, phenols and terpenes, which characterize the different varieties of wood, are present in wood dust and it is these substances found mainly in hardwood which pose the highest carcinogenic risks. Wood dust is actually responsible for the onset of:
- adenocarcinoma and other types of cancer of the nasal and paranasal sinuses
- rashes
- irritative contact dermatitis
- allergic chronic bronchitis
- allergic alveolitis
- allergic asthma and other diseases related to the respiratory system
To avoid the onset of occupational disease, the carcinogenic risk assessment of wood dust needs to be carried out on a continuous basis. Current regulations set the limit for hard wood dust at 5mg/mc even if allergic and inflammatory reactions have been found in workers well under this limit and, furthermore, respecting this limit does not mean that all the required procedures to avoid risks to workers’ health have been implemented.
The use of specific facepieces to avoid inhaling wood dust during wood processing
Workers, even if occasional, who could come into contact with wood dust, are to be be equipped with suitable personal protective equipment, such as powered air purifying respirators with a full face mask and blower units equipped with dust filters which conveys filtered air through a breathing tube to the inside of the mask. This type of respirator equipped with full face mask, manufactured by Kasco srl, is powered by a lithium battery which has a running time of over 8 hours and is worn on the belt at the waist. Moreover, the respirator comes equipped with two P3 particle filters and the positive pressure which builds up inside the mask facilitates comfortable breathing even under stress.
Kasco also manufactures powered assisted respirators equipped with helmets which have blower units and batteries built into the helmet.
Jun 11 2018
Is wood dust harmful to human health?
Wood dust is a fine particle released during wood processing operations which takes place in many different sectors of numerous industries. Wood dust is released not only when all wood, both hardwood and soft wood, is processed with different types of woodworking machines, but also from operations such as the dusting of pieces, emptying of containers, cleaning of machinery, premises, filters or, simply, material handling. Is wood dust harmful to human health? Yes, hardwood dust in particular is considered to be carcinogenic because the percentage of nasal and paranasal tumours increases when workers exposed to these particles.
Why is inhaling wood dust harmful?
Wood dust is carcinogenic because the microscopic size particles get dispersed in the atmosphere and can be inhaled. Apart from other fundamental microparticle components such as cellulose and lignin, numerous other chemical substances, i.e. tannins, phenols and terpenes, which characterize the different varieties of wood, are present in wood dust and it is these substances found mainly in hardwood which pose the highest carcinogenic risks. Wood dust is actually responsible for the onset of:
To avoid the onset of occupational disease, the carcinogenic risk assessment of wood dust needs to be carried out on a continuous basis. Current regulations set the limit for hard wood dust at 5mg/mc even if allergic and inflammatory reactions have been found in workers well under this limit and, furthermore, respecting this limit does not mean that all the required procedures to avoid risks to workers’ health have been implemented.
The use of specific facepieces to avoid inhaling wood dust during wood processing
Workers, even if occasional, who could come into contact with wood dust, are to be be equipped with suitable personal protective equipment, such as powered air purifying respirators with a full face mask and blower units equipped with dust filters which conveys filtered air through a breathing tube to the inside of the mask. This type of respirator equipped with full face mask, manufactured by Kasco srl, is powered by a lithium battery which has a running time of over 8 hours and is worn on the belt at the waist. Moreover, the respirator comes equipped with two P3 particle filters and the positive pressure which builds up inside the mask facilitates comfortable breathing even under stress.
Kasco also manufactures powered assisted respirators equipped with helmets which have blower units and batteries built into the helmet.
By Kasco Srl • Blog •