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Dust entry

Cellulose insulation dust

Dust generated while applying blown cellulose insulation in attics and other building spaces.

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

total-dust exposurerespiratory irritation concernfiber exposure concern

Evidence

A NIOSH exposure assessment found potential total-dust exposures above the OSHA limit during cellulose-insulation application, while respirable dust levels were typically low; the report found the dust consisted mostly of particles rather than fibers and reported that moistening cellulose reduced airborne dust.

Source: pdf ↗ · saved source
page 6 · Highlights of the NIOSH Health Hazard Evaluations · 1
There is potential for exposures to total dust greater than the OSHA limit during all CI application operations. Respirable dust levels were typically low during all CI operations. The CI dust contains mostly particles, not fibers. ... Applying moistened CI into attics reduces the amount of CI dust in the air.

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