Dust entry

Carmine dust

Powdered carmine, an insect-derived dye prepared from cochineal and used in cosmetic, pharmaceutical, and food-coloring applications.

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 concernrespiratory sensitizationallergic respiratory symptoms

Evidence

The UK HSE review states that carmine causes occupational asthma in some exposed workers, reports positive bronchial-challenge results, and classifies it as a respiratory sensitiser under its reviewed criteria.

Source: pdf ↗ · saved source
page 13 · C2: CARMINE — Summary and conclusion · 1

Carmine, which is an insect-derived dyestuff, causes occupational asthma in some exposed workers, and a total of 10 positive bronchial challenge test results are available. The mechanism appears to be immunological, and there is evidence that the allergen is not the dye molecule carminic acid, but a high molecular weight component of the preparation.

Controls

enclose or ventilate powdered carmine handling
avoid generating airborne dye dust
use appropriate hygiene and skin protection
medical evaluation for work-related respiratory symptoms
use appropriate respiratory protection where exposure assessment indicates it is needed