A NIOSH-indexed occupational-health study of Midwestern formula-feed mills reported very high dust levels at many operations and identified potential respiratory, skin, fungal, and other hazards; it did not confirm occupational disease in the participating production workers during the study period.
Source: CDC/NIOSH: Occupational health study of Midwestern formula feed mills ↗Dust entry
Formula-feed mill dust
Mixed particulate generated during manufacture and handling of formula animal feeds.
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
chronic respiratory symptomsacute work-shift respiratory symptomsreduced ventilatory capacityrespiratory irritationrespiratory hypersensitivitylung disease riskskin irritationskin sensitisation
Evidence
A NIOSH-indexed study of animal food processing workers found significantly more chronic respiratory symptoms, frequent acute work-shift symptoms, and significant across-shift reductions in ventilatory capacity; the authors concluded animal food dust probably causes direct irritant airway reactions.
Source: CDC/NIOSH: Immunological and respiratory changes in animal food processing workers ↗Controls
- dust containment
- local exhaust ventilation
- hygiene controls
- exposure monitoring
- skin and eye protection
- appropriate respiratory protection