Dust entry

Maleic anhydride dust

Airborne maleic anhydride particulate generated during chemical loading, resin production, and handling of this industrial intermediate.

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 asthma concernrespiratory sensitizationrhinitis concernairway hyperresponsiveness concern

Evidence

The UK HSE review reports six cases in which bronchial challenge testing indicated maleic anhydride was likely to induce work-related asthma and classifies it as a respiratory sensitiser under its reviewed criteria.

Source: pdf ↗ · saved source
page 55 · C17: MALEIC ANHYDRIDE — Summary and conclusion · 1

Evidence that maleic anhydride can cause work-related asthma is provided by six cases in which bronchial challenge testing demonstrated that it was likely to have been the inducing agent.

NIOSH lists maleic anhydride exposure routes as inhalation, ingestion, and skin or eye contact, and reports upper-respiratory irritation, conjunctivitis, bronchial asthma, and dermatitis.

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Exposure Routes; Symptoms · 1

Exposure Routes inhalation, ingestion, skin and/or eye contact. Symptoms irritation nose, upper respiratory system; conjunctivitis; photophobia; double vision; bronchial asthma; dermatitis.

Controls

enclose chemical loading and transfer
use local exhaust ventilation
avoid generating airborne powder
protect skin and eyes
use appropriate respiratory protection where exposure assessment indicates it is needed