Documentation:Cotton Dust Exposure
Cotton Dust Exposure
To produce a candle that burns brightly and reliably, the wick is very important [1]. Cotton is a prime component of the wick itself. However, cotton exposure is a hazard that factory workers of a candle manufacturing company should be aware of.
Health Impacts
Respiratory Diseases
Byssinosis also known as “brown lung disease” or Monday fever is an occupational lung disease that is caused by cotton dust exposure in inadequately ventilated working environments “ [2]. Cotton dust is known to directly cause byssinosis, which includes symptoms of breathing difficulties, chest tightness, wheezing and coughing [2]. Furthermore, besides byssinosis, workers who work in environments with cotton exposure can have acute to severe respiratory reactions, which can possibly lead to respiratory diseases [2]. As a result, workers working in inadequately ventilated environments are at most risk of developing respiratory diseases [2].
Measurements & Exposure
Vertical Elutriator
As of now the current practice of measuring airborne concentrations of cotton dust is to rely on personal samples of exposure [3]. The vertical elutriator can be used to assess the concentration of cotton dust in the environment [3]. The permissible exposure limits - Lint-free respirable cotton dust means particles of cotton dust of approximately 15 micrometers or less aerodynamic equivalent diameter [3] . The employer shall assure that no employee who is exposed to cotton dust in yarn manufacturing and cotton washing operations is exposed to airborne concentrations of lint-free respirable cotton dust greater than 200 ug/m3 mean concentration [3].
Controls
Administrative Control
Ventilation The risk can be reduced for workers by providing working environments with sufficient ventilating or respirators [3].
References
- ↑ Millington, Deborah. Tradition Candle-making: Simple Methods of Manufacture. Intermediate Technology Development Group of North America, 1992
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/docs/81-123/pdfs/0152.pdf
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 https://www.osha.gov/pls/oshaweb/owadisp.show_document?p_table=STANDARDS&p_id=10053
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