Suspended dust concentrations and size distributions, and qualitative analysis of inorganic particles, from woodworking operations

Abstract

Over 100 total suspended particulate (TSP) samples were collected from hardwood and softwood machining operations at stationary sites in twelve workplaces, as a preliminary industrial hygiene survey of furniture manufacturing and related processes. Cascade impactor samples were collected to obtain particle sizing information. Using scanning electron microscopy, in combination with backscattered electron imaging and energy dispersive X-ray analysis, inorganic dust particles were detected and analyzed in randomly selected TSP samples. The highest measured dust levels were from sanding operations (4.5 mg/m3 from hardwood sanding, 3.2 mg/m3 from pine sanding) with furniture assembly and finish-milling (detailed wood working) ranging from 1.5 mg/m3 to 2.8 mg/m3. The highest TSP sample was 14.3 mg/m3 from a pine-sanding area. Size information showed no more than 1.3 mg/m3 below 5.5 micrometers or 3.3 mg/m3 below 14.1 micrometers in any cascade impactor sample. Numerous non-wood particles were found in TSP sampl...