EU-OSHA describes particulate exposure from wood dust and raw or processed biomass such as wood chips and pellets, including bioaerosols containing fungi, bacteria, and endotoxins, and reports respiratory outcomes ranging from asthma and COPD to allergic alveolitis and toxic pneumonitis.
Source: EU-OSHA: Combined exposure to biological and chemical agents ↗Dust entry
Wood-pellet biomass dust
Particulate and bioaerosol exposure generated during storage, handling, unloading, crushing, screening, or processing of wood pellets and biomass fuels.
Airborne form
aerosol
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
asthmachronic obstructive pulmonary diseaseallergic alveolitistoxic pneumonitisrespiratory irritationendotoxin exposure concernpotential carcinogenicity of some wood dusts
Evidence
Controls
- enclosed conveying and unloading
- local exhaust ventilation
- dust suppression
- bioaerosol control
- moisture control
- exposure monitoring
- appropriate respiratory protection