A NIOSH-indexed study collected environmental and breathing-zone samples during unloading of moldy hay and corn from dairy-farm silos to characterize dust, microbial, and endotoxin exposures.
Source: CDC/NIOSH: Dust and microbial exposures during silo unloading ↗Dust entry
Moldy silo-unloading dust
Organic and microbial dust released while unloading moldy hay and corn from farm silos.
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
hypersensitivity pneumonitisorganic dust toxic syndrome concernendotoxin exposurerespiratory irritationairway disease concern
Evidence
Controls
- avoid entry during unloading
- enclosed unloading systems
- ventilation
- dust suppression
- microbial growth control
- exposure monitoring
- appropriate respiratory protection