A CDC/NIOSH-indexed study of grain handlers found that corn-dust inhalation caused lower-respiratory-tract inflammation and clinically relevant declines in FEV1, FVC, and FEV1/FVC, with a neutrophil-dominant inflammatory response.
Source: CDC/NIOSH: Grain dust-induced airflow obstruction and inflammation of the lower respiratory tract ↗Dust entry
Corn dust
Grain dust generated during corn harvesting, handling, storage, and processing.
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
airway obstructionlower-airway inflammationneutrophilic alveolitisreduced FEV1reduced FVCreduced FEV1/FVCacute respiratory response
Evidence
Controls
- enclosed grain handling
- local exhaust ventilation
- dust suppression
- equipment and bin housekeeping
- exposure monitoring
- appropriate respiratory protection