A NIOSH health-hazard evaluation found worsening asthma in workers at an aircraft-composite grinding facility and reported that composite-grinding dust can contain reactive components capable of causing health effects below applicable occupational exposure limits.
Source: CDC/NIOSH: HETA 2007-0344-3104 — Evaluation of Potential Exposures during Composite Grinding at an Aircraft Manufacturing Plant ↗Dust entry
Aircraft-composite grinding dust
Dust generated while grinding composite and metal aircraft parts, potentially containing reactive resin components and metals.
Airborne form
dust
The form describes what is suspended in air at the point of exposure. A material can produce more than one form, such as dust during handling and fume during heating.
Health effects
occupational asthma concernworsening asthmarespiratory symptomsskin rashesreactive-component exposure concern
Evidence
Controls
- downdraft tables
- shrouded grinding tools
- local exhaust ventilation
- exposure monitoring
- medical surveillance
- appropriate respiratory protection