A NIOSH-indexed review reports that agricultural mineral-dust exposure can be substantial, with crystalline silica and silicates contributing to soil-derived dust; it discusses associations with chronic bronchitis, interstitial fibrosis, mixed-dust pneumoconiosis, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease while noting that many exposures are mixed with organic dust.
Source: CDC/NIOSH: Exposures and Health Effects from Inorganic Agricultural Dusts ↗Dust entry
Inorganic agricultural dust
Mineral particulate raised by plowing, tilling, and other soil-disturbing agricultural activities.
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
occupational asthmahypersensitivity pneumonitischronic bronchitisinterstitial fibrosismixed-dust pneumoconiosischronic obstructive pulmonary diseasesilicosisrestrictive lung disease
Evidence
A NIOSH-indexed review of agricultural respiratory hazards discusses restrictive disease, fibrosis, silicosis, and hypersensitivity pneumonitis among workers exposed to organic and inorganic dusts, including soil and grain particulate.
Source: CDC/NIOSH: Respiratory risks associated with agriculture ↗Controls
- dust suppression
- enclosure or cab filtration
- ventilation
- exposure monitoring
- appropriate respiratory protection