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Dust entry

Bentonite dust

Clay-mineral particulate generated during bentonite handling in foundry and industrial processes.

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

silica-related respiratory disease concernsilicosis concern when crystalline silica is presentrespiratory exposure concerncombustible-dust/housekeeping concern

Evidence

A NIOSH foundry HHE identified excessive silica-containing dust exposures in operations that included a bentonite/sea-coal bin, and recommended enclosing the bin, controlling dust, and requiring approved respiratory protection until exposures were controlled; the report does not attribute the silica hazard to bentonite alone.

Source: pdf ↗ · saved source
page 1 · Toxicity Determination; Recommendations · 1
It has been determined that employees performing sand mulling, pouring and shakeout operations are exposed to potentially toxic concentrations of crystalline silica (quartz) which can cause the respiratory disease, silicosis. ... Install a lid on the bentonite-sea coal bin. Until such a time as dust exposures are controlled, supply and require that employees wear approved personal respiratory equipment.

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