Organic particulate generated during cannabis grinding, trimming, harvesting, and processing.
Evidence
NIOSH evaluated cannabis dust exposures and reports that workers can encounter organic particulate matter and dust from cannabis plants, with reported asthma, allergic, respiratory, and skin symptoms in related investigations.
Source: html ↗ · saved source
Work-related Asthma and Allergies · 1Organic particulate matter and dust from the plants ... Sensitization to proteins from cannabis plants may pose a risk for the development of allergic responses. ... Cultivation and harvesting employees reported symptoms including stuffy nose or sinus problems, runny nose, skin rash, and red or irritated eyes.
Source: pdf ↗ · saved source
page 5 · Recommendation 1: Reduce exposures to particulates when grinding and processing ground cannabis · 1Particulates, especially cannabis plant material, can contain endotoxins and allergens. Exposure to these has been linked to breathing problems, including occupational asthma.
A NIOSH HHE found that particulate levels were higher at cannabis grinding and pre-roll workstations, and employees reported symptoms associated with grinding and dry sifting/kiefing, including scratchy throat, cough, hives, rash, and irritated nose.
Source: pdf ↗ · saved source
page 5 · Our Key Findings · 2Particulate levels were higher at the grinding and pre-roll production workstation compared with other work areas. ... During our initial site visit, 3 of 7 (43%) interviewed employees reported symptoms they thought were work-related: one reported a scratchy throat and cough, another reported hives, and another reported a rash. Symptoms were associated with grinding and dry sifting/kiefing. These are tasks more likely to create cannabis dust.
A NIOSH evaluation at an indoor cannabis cultivation and manufacturing facility found employees were exposed to airborne particulates and endotoxins; 75% of interviewed employees reported eye, nose, or sinus symptoms, and symptoms were often associated with work tasks and improved away from work.
Source: pdf ↗ · saved source
page 4 · Our Key Findings · 2Employees were exposed to particulates and endotoxins in the air, cannabinoids on their skin, and noise. ... The most common health symptoms reported were eye, nose, or sinus symptoms (12 [75%]) ... Of the 12 participants who reported eye, nose, or sinus symptoms, 10 reported that tasks at work caused the irritation, with six reporting that their symptoms improved when away from work on their days off or on vacation.
A NIOSH evaluation at a manganese-dioxide production facility collected air samples for manganese, cobalt, nickel, and sulfuric acid; one short-term personal manganese sample during final-product bagging exceeded the ACGIH excursion limit.
Source: pdf ↗ · saved source
page 4 · Highlights of the NIOSH Health Hazard Evaluation · 2We collected air samples to evaluate employee exposures to manganese, cobalt, nickel, and sulfuric acid. One short-term personal breathing zone air sample for manganese collected during bagging of the final product exceeded the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists excursion limit.