Whether in the food industry creating cornflakes or offering comprehensive sandblasting services, factories deal with dust particles spreading in the air. Though a natural byproduct of the processing products, it can cause problems for the facility and its workers.
Here’s an article to help you understand the risks industrial dust poses and what measures a facility can take to manage this.
What is Dust and What is Industrial Dust
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When discussing dust, the first thing we must define is the difference between what we call dust and industrial dust.
The general term “dust” refers to fine particles we see everywhere, whether in homes or abandoned warehouses. It’s composed of solid matter that rises to the atmosphere and travels through the air.
Dust can be categorized into three main types. First is household dust, the kind we usually see at home and in indoor spaces. Aside from external dirt brought inside the premises, household dust also includes dead skin cells, hair fibers, and pet dander, among others.
Next is environmental dust, which are particles from nature. This can be a mix of sand, weathered rock particulates, pollen, and eroded soil. Both household and environmental dust can be easily cleaned and disposed of, usually requiring standard cleaning tools like brooms and cleaning wipes.
On the other hand, “industrial dust” is a specific form of dust produced as a byproduct of a manufacturing process. Industrial dust typically contains a combination of chemicals and metals in its composition, making it dangerous to workers and production equipment. Manufacturing facilities should properly manage the spread of industrial dust through air filtration systems alongside efficient dust prevention practices.
Industrial Dust in Different Production
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Industrial dust occurs in various stages of a production process, with different industries generating their composition of dust particles. In this section, we will look at the types of dust per industry and how dust is formed.
1. The Food Industry
High volumes of dust occur in the food industry, with sources of dust coming from several factors. From harvesting raw materials like corn and soybeans to processing them into cereals, flour, and other final products, expect food dust particles to accumulate in the air. Food dust can even happen when packaging and transporting the products.
Major risks associated with food dust include:
- Cross-contamination – where food dust from one type of material mixes with other raw or processed products, which can affect their quality and introduce allergens to the mixture.
- Worker health – inhaling airborne food dust can trigger allergens that can lead to illnesses and diseases. Prolonged exposure can even deteriorate the worker’s respiratory system.
- Fire hazards – most food dust has highly combustible compositions, which can easily combust and explode when exposed to heat. When large volumes of food dust catch fire, it can cause damage to the property and injure workers.
To avoid affecting the health of the workers, they should be provided with proper dust protection equipment like masks, respirators, and gloves. Management must also implement proper procedures when handling food products to minimize the spread of food dust. Additionally, the dust collector for the food industry must match the dust type of their byproducts.
2. The Cement Industry
A common byproduct of cement production, cement dust occurs in every stage of the production process. It starts from the procurement and mining of materials and continues in mixing the cement. Packaging and transporting the cement mixture also produces levels of dust particles. Cement dust usually contains a mixture of harmful materials, including aluminum trioxide, magnesium oxide, and silica.
Unfortunately, dust particles generated by cement production are highly abrasive, and constant exposure can quickly deteriorate the machinery, leading to equipment failure or frequent breakdowns. It’s also highly toxic to humans, irritating to the skin and eyes when in contact along with lung and organ damage when inhaled.
Proper ventilation and protective worker gear are some of the best ways to control the adverse effects of cement dust. Facilities should have specifically designed dust collectors for the cement industry and filter media that can handle various materials efficiently.
3. Woodworking Industry
Woodworking workshops deal with large volumes of wood to create various products. With each sanding, cutting, sawing, and shaping of the wood into its final form, it generates a volume of wood dust that populates the facility.
Wood dust, also called sawdust, can affect the health of workers performing the woodworking task. Physical contact can irritate the affected area, while inhalation can trigger allergic reactions and occupational asthma.
But beyond worker health, wood dust is a major fire hazard. Wood is highly combustible and will easily burn when in contact with a spark or heat source. In large volumes, it can explode, which damages equipment and harms workers.
Understanding the potential danger sawdust brings, facilities should have proper dust collectors for woodworking industry. Not only do air filtration systems reduce the risk of wood dust accumulation in workshops, but they also help maintain the high quality of air that circulates within.
4. Grinding Industry
Grinding materials into their desired size and shape requires constant contact between the material and the abrasive wheel. The continuous shaving off of material causes friction, which results in the generation of dust.
Without proper measures for control and management, dust particles generated by grinding workshops can be hazardous to the employees. This dust type makes it easy to inhale when not wearing the proper protective gear since it has a very fine nature. The high levels of metals found in grinding dust can be toxic, leading to serious illnesses like pneumoconiosis, bronchitis, and asthma when constantly exposed to the dust.
Some effective ways to control grinding dust involve workers wearing protective equipment like respirators and safety goggles while on the job. Another is the wet grinding method, where water is introduced via spraying to suppress the dust. Local ventilation setups also help capture dust from the source, preventing their spread and potential inhalation.
For larger workshops, there are dust collectors specifically designed to draw and filter grinding dust from the air. They come with filter media that works well with fine-grinding dust particles.
5. Sandblasting Industry
Sandblasting workshops deal with different types of dust based on the materials they’re working with. As the abrasive material is forced on the surface through compressed air, it takes out a layer from the surface and transforms into dust particles. Additionally, the abrasive material turns into dust itself, further contaminating the air.
Due to the nature of the industry, both the workers and equipment used in sandblasting are constantly exposed to potentially harmful dust particles. Common dust particles generated in sandblasting workshops have traces of metal and rust, which can seriously affect the workers and clog the vents of machines.
Since the composition of these dust particles can vary, sandblasting facilities should provide ample protection to the workers who can handle most dust types generated. Moreover, workshops should be equipped with dust filtration solutions that can collect blast media like aluminum oxide, crushed glass, and grit.
6. Pharmaceutical Industry
The pharmaceutical sector uses a wide assortment of materials and powders to create its products, with dust particles being a natural byproduct. Raw materials usually contain high levels of certain chemicals, which can be dangerous when they enter the human body.
Every step of their production process, from grinding materials to mixing to form the final formula, generates a level of dust that can spread and be inhaled by workers. With cross-contamination as a major threat to the industry, it’s important to maintain a dust-free environment when creating pills and tablets for market consumption.
To maintain a dust-free environment, pharmaceutical plants must be equipped with the latest dust collector pharmaceutical industry. These filter the air within the facility, drawing out harmful particulates and recycling clean air to encourage proper ventilation. Sensitive workshops should also have clean rooms and reliable protective gear to protect the workers from contaminants.
7. Welding Industry
More commonly known as welding fumes, dust generated by the welding industry comes from the vaporization and cooling of metal particles. The fumes are very fine and are composed of a complex combination of metals based on the welding material, the process used, and the shielding gas.
Continued exposure to welding fumes can be hazardous to humans, with studies showing long-term adverse effects to welders. Some serious illnesses caused by inhaling welding dust include COPD, metal fume fever, and asphyxiation. It can even lead to respiratory cancers when exposed to the dust for extended periods.
Local exhaust ventilation or LEV is the preferred choice when it comes to controlling welding fumes. It captures the dust from its source, ensuring it does not spread elsewhere. Wearing protective gear must be enforced for welders to avoid contact and prevent the inhalation of these fumes. Moreover, a healthy air circulation helps in diluting welding fumes, which is achieved through air filtration systems for welding workshops.
How to Control Dust in Workshops
The first thing to do when dealing with dust control in workshops is to know what type of dust the facility is generating. Depending on the industry you’re in, your facility will create a specific dust particle that needs proper management. By understanding the specifications of the dust, you can select the right air filtration system to install.
Next, consider the facility’s setup and existing ventilation system installed. The facility’s design plays a key role in the dust collector’s efficiency, with larger factories requiring more powerful machinery to maximize its filtration capabilities. Flat surfaces also attract dust like a magnet, so it’s best to limit unused horizontal surfaces in workshops, especially in those frequently exposed to dust.
On the management side, production guidelines should be implemented that minimize the generation and spreading of dust particles. Employees must be required to wear protective equipment to prevent contact with harmful dust while on the job. Additionally, these guidelines must be in line with existing regulations set by national and local governing bodies.
Tysum – The Trusted Partner in Effective Dust Control
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For more than two decades, Tysum has been the go-to manufacturer for industrial dust collection systems in China. We offer a range of air filtration solutions that eliminate dust particles generated by industrial facilities while maintaining optimal air quality necessary for worker health and productivity.
Customization is also available for specific requirements, ensuring that we address your needs with the utmost satisfaction. This is complemented by our strict quality control and testing standards, inspecting every part and setup to guarantee superior quality and performance. Our testing processes follow international guidelines, so you can be sure it matches your local regulations.
Tysum’s commitment to providing reliable dust collection systems extends to our services as well. As your partner, we’re with you throughout your product sourcing, from consultation and design assistance to warranty coverage.
Control Industrial Dust for a Healthy and Productive Facility
Dust is an unavoidable byproduct of the industrial sector. Every step in turning raw materials into the final product creates dust particles that can be harmful to workers and the facility. Setting up measures to control and minimize dust generation and propagation keeps the industry functioning like a well-oiled machine.
Part of managing dust particles is installing a dust collector setup that matches the type of dust the facility creates. And for reliable dust collection solutions tailored to your industry requirements, trust no other than Tysum. With over two decades of experience, we know what you need and deliver with excellence. Talk to our team today to learn more about how we can solve your dust problems.
