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INTRODUCTION TO OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH |
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Dusts |
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Most industrial dusts
consist of particles that vary widely in size, with the small particles greatly
outnumbering the large ones. Consequently (with few exceptions), when dust is noticeable
in the air near a dusty operation, probably more invisible dust particles than visible
ones are present. A process that produces dust fine enough to remain in the air long
enough to be breathed should be regarded as hazardous until proven otherwise. An airborne dust of a potentially toxic material will not cause pulmonary illness if its particle size is too large to gain access to the lungs (10 microns in diameter and larger). These large particles are known as non-respirable. These particles will be deposited in the respiratory system long before they reach the alveolar sacs - the most important area in the lungs. |
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