A NIOSH health-hazard evaluation measured tea dust and airborne fungi at a tea-processing facility and reported upper-respiratory problems among workers; specially designed local ventilation reduced potential exposures near tea-bag reclaiming.
Source: CDC/NIOSH: Health hazard evaluation report: HHE-80-22, Tetley, Inc. ↗Dust entry
Tea-processing dust
Organic dust generated during tea handling, blending, reclaiming, and tea-bag production.
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
upper respiratory symptomsrespiratory tract irritationoccupational respiratory disease concernfungal bioaerosol exposure concern
Evidence
Controls
- local exhaust ventilation
- enclosed tea handling
- dust collection
- controlled reclaiming
- exposure monitoring
- appropriate respiratory protection