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Dust entry

Corn-starch dust

Airborne particulate generated during corn-starch processing and handling.

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

aggravation of pre-existing respiratory conditionsrespiratory problems in people with dust allergiescombustible-dust hazard

Evidence

A NIOSH HHE at a corn-starch plant evaluated total and respirable starch dust and stated that starch dust can aggravate pre-existing respiratory conditions; the report also states that starch-dust exposure should be minimized.

Source: pdf ↗ · saved source
page 8 · Starch Dust; Results and Discussion · 1–2
Starch dust, while not normally considered a significant respiratory hazard, may aggravate certain lung conditions. Individuals with dust allergies are at particular risk of developing respiratory problems. ... While airborne concentrations of starch dust were not above the environmental criteria used, exposure to starch dust must be kept to a minimum. Starch dust can aggravate pre-existing respiratory conditions, such as emphysema.

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