A NIOSH Health Hazard Evaluation assessed exposures and respiratory health at a rubber manufacturing facility and reported respirable-dust measurements and respiratory-health findings in rubber production work; the source supports exposure concern without implying that every worker develops disease.
Source: CDC/NIOSH: Work practices for rubber compounding and mixing areas ↗Dust entry
Rubber-compounding dust
Dust generated while weighing, mixing, extruding, and otherwise processing rubber compounds and additives.
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 symptomsrespiratory disease concernskin exposure concernoccupational exposure hazard
Evidence
Controls
- local exhaust ventilation
- enclosed mixing and transfer
- dust suppression
- exposure monitoring
- hygiene controls
- appropriate respiratory protection