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.Key Facts You Should Know About Particle Pollution

Particles in the air can cause or aggravate a number of health problems and have been linked with illnesses and deaths from heart or lung diseases.

.At highest risk from particle pollution are people with heart or lung disease, older adults (possibly because they may have undiagnosed heart or lung disease), and children whose lungs are still developing and who are more likely to have asthma and are more active outdoors.

.Particles of concern include both very small, "fine" particles (that can only be seen through an electron microscope) and somewhat larger "coarse" dust particles. Fine particles have been more clearly linked to the most serious health problems.

Source: Environmental Protection Agency

 

 

 

 

PLEASE NOTE:  Studies into the health effects of wood dust on humans have begun over the last few years and are not complete. Most have focused on occupational exposures, where workers are exposed to large amounts of dust repeatedly. All of implications for homeowners are not yet known. At this time it is clear that a single exposure to wood dust may have health consequences, and  that very fine (often invisible) dust can be especially dangerous. 

The following is from one report on the subject. The results of many other studies are available on-line.

Health effects of wood dust
Skin irritation and skin sensitization

Skin irritation can be caused by contact with the wood itself, dust, bark, sap or lichens growing on the bark. Symptoms subside once the irritant is removed.

Sensitization dermatitis is usually caused by exposure to the fine dust from certain wood species. This exposure produces symptoms similar to skin irritation. Once sensitized, the body sets up an allergic reaction, and will react severely when exposed even to a small amount of wood dust.

Allergic and non-allergic respiratory effects

The most commonly reported allergic respiratory effect due to wood dust exposure is asthma. It may occur alone or in conjunction with dermatitis. Occupational asthma and rhinitis due to exposure to Western Red Cedar has been well documented. It is one of the most common types of occupational asthma prevailing in British Colombia, Canada.

Exposure to wood dust can cause chronic obstructive lung disease. Exposure to saw fumes containing terpenes, a constituent of wood also causes chronic obstructive impairment in lung function.

Nasal effects

Chronic exposure to wood dust can cause impaired nasal mucociliary clearance. A major portion of airborne wood dust is contributed by particles larger than 10µm size, which can be trapped effectively in the nasal passage.

Nasal cancer is a significant hazard of woodworking and is particularly associated with hardwoods.