A NIOSH health-hazard evaluation at a plastics milling facility measured total and respirable dust and concluded that process dusts were a significant health hazard; several workers had developed asthma.
Source: CDC/NIOSH: Health Hazard Evaluation Report: HETA 98-0072-2762: Allgrind Plastics, Inc. ↗Dust entry
Plastic-milling dust
Dust generated while milling and processing plastic materials and fillers.
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 asthmarespiratory irritationwork-associated respiratory symptomsskin irritation
Evidence
Controls
- enclosed milling
- local exhaust ventilation
- dust collection
- prohibit compressed-air cleaning
- exposure monitoring
- medical surveillance
- appropriate respiratory protection