The WHO/NIOSH occupational-respiratory literature identifies moldy thatch dust as the exposure associated with Papuan or New Guinea lung, a hypersensitivity pneumonitis syndrome.
Source: WHO/NIOSH: WHO/NIOSH monograph on occupational respiratory diseases — moldy thatch dust ↗Dust entry
Moldy thatch dust
Organic dust released from mold-contaminated thatch and dried grass used in roofs or structures.
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 pneumonitisNew Guinea lung concernrespiratory inflammationinterstitial lung disease concern
Evidence
Controls
- mold control
- safe thatch replacement
- ventilation
- dust suppression
- exposure monitoring
- appropriate respiratory protection