A NIOSH health-hazard evaluation surveyed airborne flax dust and medical effects in fiber-cutting and digester-feeding departments and determined that the measured concentrations would be toxic without respiratory protection.
Source: CDC/NIOSH: Health Hazard Evaluation Determination Report No. 75-104-325: Olin Corporation ↗Dust entry
Flax dust
Organic fiber dust generated during flax cutting and digestion processes.
Airborne form
fiber
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 irritationtoxic exposure concernbyssinosis concernairway disease concern
Evidence
A NIOSH flax-dust HHE determined that the airborne concentrations evaluated would have been toxic to Fiber Cutting Department employees without respiratory protection and recommended exposure controls and medical surveillance.
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page 1 · Toxicity Determination · 1
page 1 · Toxicity Determination · 1
On the basis of this environmental/medical survey it has been determined that the airborne concentrations of flax dust which existed at that time would, without respiratory protection, be toxic to the employees of the Fiber Cutting Department. Recommendations are offered in this report for control of airborne flax exposures and for medical surveillance of the exposed employees.
Controls
- local exhaust ventilation
- enclosed fiber cutting
- dust collection
- exposure monitoring
- appropriate respiratory protection