A NIOSH health-hazard evaluation at a specialty-alloy powder division sampled chromium VI, heavy metals, respirable crystalline silica, and bulk process materials in response to worker concerns about powder-production exposures and respiratory symptoms.
Source: CDC/NIOSH: HETA 97-0141-2819 — Special Metals Corporation Princeton Powder Division ↗Dust entry
Specialty-alloy powder dust
Metal powder and process dust generated during specialty-alloy production, including nickel- and chromium-containing powder operations.
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
nasal irritationsinusitisrespiratory irritationheavy-metal exposure concernhexavalent-chromium exposure concernsilica exposure concern
Evidence
Controls
- enclosed powder production
- local exhaust ventilation
- process isolation
- HEPA filtration
- exposure monitoring
- appropriate respiratory protection