Dust entry

Zinc stearate rubber-compounding dust

Airborne zinc stearate particulate generated while compounding rubber products.

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 irritation concernrespiratory tract irritationdust exposure concern

Evidence

A NIOSH health-hazard evaluation of a rubber manufacturer found excessive airborne particulates and concluded that brief periodic exposures to higher concentrations of zinc stearate may produce upper-respiratory-tract irritation.

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Environmental surveys and employee interviews conducted at the Converse Rubber Company indicate that compounders in the doubling room are exposed to excessive concentrations of airborne particulates and that brief periodic exposures to higher concentrations of zinc stearate may produce irritation of the upper respiratory tract.

Controls

enclose or isolate powder charging
use local exhaust ventilation
avoid dry sweeping and resuspension
use appropriate respiratory protection under a workplace respiratory-protection program
follow the current safety data sheet and occupational exposure requirements