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Dust entry

Shark-cartilage powder dust

Fine organic powder generated while milling shark cartilage for use in natural-remedy products.

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

acute asthma symptomsoccupational asthma concernrespiratory irritationwork-associated respiratory symptoms

Evidence

A NIOSH Health Hazard Evaluation investigated an Allgrind Plastics facility that milled shark cartilage into fine powders. The evaluation was prompted by the death of an employee after an acute asthma attack at work; before his death, he had repeatedly attributed acute asthmatic symptoms to shark-cartilage dust. This is a case investigation and does not establish causation for every worker or shark-cartilage product.

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Abstract · 1
The company ... processed organic materials, primarily shark cartilage, into fine powders ... The request was prompted by the death of a 38-year-old employee of an acute asthma attack while at work ... the employee had attributed acute asthmatic symptoms to shark cartilage dust on a number of occasions.

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