A NIOSH-indexed study of sisal workers measured airborne dust and reported excess respiratory symptoms, across-shift reductions in forced vital capacity and FEV1, and occupational-asthma cases.
Source: CDC/NIOSH: Respiratory function and immunological reactions in sisal workers ↗Dust entry
Sisal dust
Vegetable-fiber dust generated during sisal processing and textile work.
Airborne form
fiber
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 asthmachronic coughdyspneachest tightnessairway irritationreduced lung function
Evidence
Controls
- enclosed fiber processing
- local exhaust ventilation
- dust collection
- exposure monitoring
- appropriate respiratory protection