Dust entry

Coffee roasting and green-bean dust

Organic dust generated during green-bean handling, roasting, grinding, and packaging of coffee.

Airborne form

dustaerosolorganic

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 asthmarespiratory irritationwork-related respiratory symptomsoccupational lung disease concern

Evidence

A 2025 NIOSH evaluation of a coffee roasting and packaging facility identifies green and roasted coffee dust as known risk factors for occupational asthma and describes coffee production exposures during bean handling, grinding, and packaging; it recommends engineering controls and respiratory protection based on follow-up exposure sampling.

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page 41 · Are there other health concerns associated with working in coffee production that I should be aware of? · 1

Green and roasted coffee dust and castor beans ... are known risk factors for occupational asthma.

Controls

local exhaust ventilation at grinders
ventilated enclosure
exposure monitoring
avoid dust generation
appropriate respiratory protection