A NIOSH-indexed report described five cases of silicosis among workers at two dental-supply factories and noted that dental products contain inorganic mineral dusts and other potentially hazardous materials.
Source: CDC/NIOSH: Silicosis in Dental Supply Factory Workers ↗Dust entry
Dental-supply factory silica dust
Inorganic mineral dust generated during manufacture of dental products and components in dental-supply factories.
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
silicosisprogressive massive fibrosisoccupational lung diseaserespiratory disease
Evidence
Controls
- enclosed mineral processing
- local exhaust ventilation
- dust collection
- medical surveillance
- exposure monitoring
- appropriate respiratory protection