NIOSH identifies anti-offset powder in printing as commonly made from corn or potato starch, with potential allergic-sensitization and occupational-asthma risk after long-term exposure, and notes its combustible-dust hazard characteristics.
Source: CDC/NIOSH: Engineering Controls — Local Exhaust Ventilation Systems in Printing Operations ↗Dust entry
Printing anti-offset starch dust
Fine starch powder applied in commercial printing to prevent wet ink from transferring between sheets.
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
respiratory sensitisationoccupational asthma riskrespiratory irritationcombustible-dust explosion hazard
Evidence
Controls
- local exhaust ventilation
- dust filtration
- duct housekeeping
- source containment
- exposure monitoring
- appropriate respiratory protection