Analysis of inhalable dust produced in manufacturing of wooden furniture

Abstract

To provide an in-depth understanding of preventing occupational diseases and improving working conditions, characteristics of inhalable dust were studied. The results showed that total dust concentration (TDC) from mechanical sanding, portable planning and sanding, putty sanding, and painting sanding with inadequate exhaust ventilation were higher than occupational exposure limits (OELs). The more the furniture material was sanded and the worse the dust exhaust apparatus, the higher the TDC was. The TDC from portable planer sanding and dry sanding and putty sanding was in the range from 8.4 mg/m3 to 8.7 mg/m3 and from 5.3 mg/m3 to 8.4 mg/m3, respectively. The TDC from mechanical sanding and painting sanding was in the range from 4.4 to 6.4 mg/m3 and from 3.4 mg/m3 to 4.9 mg/m3, respectively. More than 90% suspended particulate matter in their TDC had a PM10 in all aforementioned results. The sanding procedure produced 6.7% to 8.2% free silica in the total particulate matter, in addition to wood dust, putty dust, or painting dust. Heavy metals in dust from putty sanding and painting exceeding the OELs were lead (Pb; > 0.3 mg/m3) and cadmium (Cd; > 0.01 mg/m3). There was a large amount of granular grinding material, cluster putty, planar painting dust, and a small amount fibroid wood dust in the dust from putty sanding and painting sanding.