A NIOSH-indexed investigation studied dust generated from leaf and wood compost after a severe acute respiratory illness and reported pulmonary responses including inflammation and airway obstruction in an animal model; this is experimental evidence, not proof of the same effect in all people.
Source: CDC/NIOSH: Organic dust exposure from compost handling: response of an animal model ↗Dust entry
Compost organic dust
Organic particulate generated while handling or disturbing leaf and wood compost.
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
acute respiratory illnesspulmonary inflammationairway obstructionorganic-dust exposure hazard
Evidence
Controls
- enclosure of compost handling
- ventilation
- dust suppression
- exposure monitoring
- appropriate respiratory protection