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Illicit fentanyl powder

Illicit fentanyl encountered as powder in healthcare, emergency-response, or law-enforcement contexts; NIOSH describes inhalation and other exposure routes and emphasizes that occupational exposure data and limits are not established.

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

potentially life-threatening opioid toxicityrespiratory depression concern

Evidence

NIOSH states that illicit fentanyl may be present in powder form and identifies inhalation of powders or aerosols, mucous-membrane contact, ingestion, and broken-skin exposure as routes of greatest concern; symptoms can include rapid-onset life-threatening respiratory depression.

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Exposure routes · 1
Healthcare personnel might be exposed when the patient or their personal items are contaminated with illicit fentanyl, which may be present in powder, tablet, or liquid forms. Potential exposure routes of greatest concern include inhalation of powders or aerosols, mucous membrane contact, ingestion, or exposure secondary to a break in the skin.

NIOSH reports that there are no established federal or consensus occupational exposure limits for illicit fentanyl and that recommendations are based on reported toxicity, chemical and physical properties, related NIOSH guidance, and industrial-hygiene principles.

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page 2 · Summary · 1
Likely exposure forms include powder (including compressed powder), tablet, or liquid; exposure routes of greatest concern include inhalation, mucous membrane contact, ingestion, and percutaneous exposure.

Controls