A NIOSH HHE at a tapioca-starch manufacturer measured total nuisance starch dust from 3.2 to 18.1 mg/m³ as 8-hour time-weighted averages; two of five food packers exceeded the ACGIH TLV, and surface starch was identified as a fire or explosion hazard.
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page 1 · Summary; Conclusions · 2Five personal breathing-zone sample results for total nuisance dust (starch dust) ranged from an 8-hour TWA of 3.2 to 18.1 mg/m3. Two of the five food packers monitored were exposed to starch levels in excess of the ACGIH TLV of 10 mg/m3. Starch dust on surfaces is common throughout most areas of the plant; even a fine layer of fugitive starch dust is a potential fire or explosion hazard.
A CDC/NIOSH health-hazard evaluation sampled total and respirable starch dust in starch-treatment areas, reported measured concentrations, noted that starch dust may aggravate certain lung conditions, and recommended equipment maintenance and housekeeping to control airborne starch.
Source: CDC/NIOSH: Health Hazard Evaluation Report: HETA-85-031-1706: National Starch ↗NIOSH reported that starch dust may aggravate certain lung conditions, that people with dust allergies are at particular risk of respiratory problems, and that exposure should be kept to a minimum even when measured concentrations are below criteria.
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page 8 · Starch Dust; Results and Discussion · 1–2Starch dust, while not normally considered a significant respiratory hazard, may aggravate certain lung conditions. Individuals with dust allergies are at particular risk of developing respiratory problems. ... While airborne concentrations of starch dust were not above the environmental criteria used, exposure to starch dust must be kept to a minimum. Starch dust can aggravate pre-existing respiratory conditions, such as emphysema.
The NIOSH Pocket Guide identifies starch dust exposure by inhalation, ingestion, and skin or eye contact and lists eye, skin, and mucous-membrane irritation, cough, chest pain, dermatitis, and nasal discharge as symptoms; fine starch can form an explosive mixture with air.
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Fire and Explosion Hazard / Exposure Routes / Symptoms / Target Organs · 1Noncombustible Solid, but may form explosive mixture with air. Exposure Routes inhalation, ingestion, skin and/or eye contact. Symptoms irritation eyes, skin, mucous membrane; cough, chest pain; dermatitis; rhinorrhea (discharge of thin nasal mucus). Target Organs Eyes, skin, respiratory system.