Industrial Dust And The Human Body

Sometimes we get caught up in the mechanics, regulations, and safety of why an industrial dust collection system is needed.  Other times we are concerned with combustible dust and it's dangers, but what about the effects of dust on the human body.

Whenever people inhale airborne dust at work, they are at risk of occupational disease. Year after year, both in developed and in developing countries, overexposure to dusts causes disease, temporary and permanent disabilities and deaths.  The World Health Organization offers documents to help educate and train people and employers in the prevention and control of dust in the workplace.

Irritant dust can settle in the nose and may lead to inflammation of the mucus membrane as well as inflammation of the trachea or the bronchi.  According to the Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety "The lungs are constantly exposed to danger from the dusts we breathe."  The most dramatic dust reaction of the lung occurs in the deepest parts of the organ, leaving scarring and impaired normal lung function.  The amount of dust particles that settle in the lung also effect the capacity of the lung and the ability to take full deep breathes.   Many lung diseases are caused by inorganic dust exposure to silica, tin, tungsten carbide and coal.  Even organic dust such as hair particles, hay, and dust of heat treated sludge can cause disease to the lung.

The eyes are not immune to the effects of dust particles.  Even most safety glasses allow small dust particles to reach the eye causing irritation and/or possible damage to the cornea.   OSHA has certain standards in place to limit exposures to specific dust and fumes.  Inhalation of cobalt metal, dust and fumes may cause interstitial fibrosis, interstitial pneumonitis, myocardial and thyroid disorders, and sensitization of the respiratory tract and skin.   Some diseases of the heart have been linked to dust and fumes.

You can find out more about health and dust related issues through the following links.
World Health Organization
Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety
OSHA

Article: From Dust To Death - Six tips to stop dust collector explosions

Preventing combustible dust explosions has been an industry concern for years.   Increasing the stress for emergency health and safety managers trying to find the correct solution and maintain that solution for the future as well.  With so many standards, regulations, and codes one can get easily overwhelmed.  A recent article in ISHN Magazine by industry experts Tony Supine and Mike Walters condense the tedious task into a few informative tips.   

Reviewing the NFPA 654 standard will give you information on how to design a safe dust collection system.  It will also guide you to other NFPA standards regarding deflagration venting, explosion protection where venting is not possible, as well as standards for specific types of combustible dust and industries.   The NFPA has incorporated performance-based options, since 1995 using calculations in its standards for explosion protection equipment.   Since 2006 the NFPA has been allowing real world destructive test data to be used in place of the calculations data, as long as adequate testing has been proven.   Although often overlooked, real world data is permissible and your dust collection supplier may help you with cost savings and from over engineering,  all while not compromising safety.  

A hazard analysis is required to determine the level of fire and explosion protection required.  Testing the dust to determine the KST rating and Pmax by ASTM E 1226-10 standard needs to be established.  Quality is often overruled by a low price.   Is the value what it seems?  As documented a low-end dust collector will most likely need replacing after an explosion, where as a high quality gauge collector often only requires replacing only the explosion vent and filter cartridges.   High quality compliant equipment is reassurance and an investment in the future.   Keeping a clean facility is another key element in preventing dust explosions.  Hazardous levels of dust accumulation are the most common of all OSHA violations, often ending with fines.  The NFPA definition of hazardous surface dust is now 1/64 inch or 0.4mm in depth.   Staying alert of any changing conditions that can contribute to potential explosive problems should be normal practice.

You can read the full article here From Dust To Death - Six tips to stop dust collector explosions.

Article: Determining Total Cost of Ownership of Your Dust Collector Filters

Many of you may have an existing dust collector and have a need to replace or add an additional collector to a new process or application. A recent article in the 2011 Q4 issue of SprayTime, a quarterly magazine published by the International Thermal Spray Association (ITSA), addresses ways of determining your true cost of ownership. To most facilities a replacement filter is just a commodity and the cheapest priced filter is often purchased. So how much does that filter really cost you in the long run?

There are so many things to be considered when deciding on the true cost of a dust collector replacement filter. Emission thresholds, dust size and shape, energy, disposal, and even maintenance costs to name a few. This four page article is full information that can assist you in making informed decisions when it comes time to replace your dust collector filters.

You can visit the ITSA website, get a free subscription to the magazine, or download the PDF file of the complete issue and article from the highlighted links.

FAQ: When Choosing a Dust Collector, Is There an Advantage to Using Vertical Filters Versus Horizontal Style Filters?

We have covered many topics over the last few weeks for you to consider when purchasing a dust collection system. Our goal is to provide you with the information and tools necessary for you to make the best decision for your application. This week we explore the pros and cons of horizontal filters versus vertical dust collector filters. Something as simple as how a filter is installed or mounted in a collector whether vertical or horizontal can have a major impact on both safety and performance.

A horizontal filter has a tendency for dust to build up on the top side of the filter. This reduces the efficiency of the filter and can also increase the chance for a fire from a spark. Bridging as it is commonly called is when the build up of dust on the top of a filter is thick enough to reach a filter above it as seen in the photo. You can read more of the comparisons through this link:

When choosing a dust collector, is there an advantage to using vertical filters versus horizontal style filters?

Article: Good Housekeeping for Five Problem Areas

A recent article in EHS Today magazine covers some important information regarding keeping you facility clean and organized and give you greater compliance with environmental, health and safety regulations. You will notice many of the recent governmental agencies mentioned have been discussed in our blog updates.

Among the areas explored are spills and liquids, dust, clutter, and lack of a housekeeping plan. Planning around production schedules and keeping the proper cleaning tools is a necessity.

You can read the full article by Karen Hamel here Good Housekeeping for Five Problem Areas