NIOSH analyzed respirable dust from grain elevators and found bacteria, yeasts, Aspergillus, Penicillium, Ustilago, and higher spore concentrations among grain workers than comparison city workers.
Source: CDC/NIOSH: Microbial Flora and Fauna of Respirable Grain Dust from Grain Elevators ↗Dust entry
Respirable grain-elevator microbial dust
Respirable particulate collected in grain elevators containing bacteria, yeasts, fungi, spores, and other biological material.
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 disease concernfarmer's lung concernbioaerosol exposurefungal-spore exposure
Evidence
Controls
- enclosure
- ventilation
- dust suppression
- exposure monitoring
- appropriate respiratory protection