A NIOSH dental-clinic evaluation collected respirable dust, crystalline silica, metals, and real-time aerosols; it found higher contaminants when laboratory local exhaust was not used and observed aerosol migration into adjacent areas.
Source: CDC/NIOSH: HHE 2019-0232-3394 — Evaluation of Exposures and Health Concerns in a Dental Clinic ↗Dust entry
Dental-clinic respirable aerosol
Respirable dust and aerosol generated during dental procedures and laboratory grinding, trimming, and soldering tasks.
Airborne form
aerosol
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
respiratory exposure concernsilica exposure concernmetal exposure concerninterstitial lung disease concernasthma concern
Evidence
Controls
- local exhaust ventilation
- high-volume evacuation
- laboratory negative pressure
- enclosed grinding and trimming
- exposure monitoring
- appropriate respiratory protection