A NIOSH investigation of 16 kaolin operations measured respirable silica concentrations of 0.44–1.30 mg/m3, found some nuisance-dust samples above the NIOSH standard, and reported pulmonary responses in supporting toxicology evidence.
Source: CDC/NIOSH: Final report: mining environmental target investigation of kaolin clay mining and milling ↗Dust entry
Kaolin mining and milling dust
Clay and mineral dust generated during kaolin mining and milling.
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
respirable silica exposurepulmonary responseconnective-tissue disease concernrespiratory disease concern
Evidence
The NIOSH/OSHA PEL Project page reports that excess kaolin dust may injure skin or mucous membranes and has been associated with respiratory effects; it gives separate total and respirable particulate exposure limits.
Source: html ↗ · saved source
Health effects and exposure limits · 2
Health effects and exposure limits · 2
Exposure to excess amounts of kaolin dust may cause injury to the skin or mucous membranes. Although NIOSH has not conducted an in-depth review of kaolin dust exposure, it notes that exposure to kaolin dust has been associated with respiratory effects. OSHA establishes PELs of 10 mg/m3 total particulate and 5 mg/m3 respirable particulate as 8-hour TWA limits for kaolin.
Controls
- enclosed milling
- local exhaust ventilation
- dust collection
- wet methods
- exposure monitoring
- appropriate respiratory protection