Safety Issues of Powders-Health

María Camila Tamayo, María Fernanda Mora, Laura Pinzón & José Luis Guañarita.
Generalities
Powder coating products are important for protecting surfaces from corrosion and producing an
attractive finish. Powder coating is an alternative finishing process to spray painting. Powders in their
uncured state, present health and safety hazards and can harm health and the environment. This
guidance outlines good control practice and is intended for employers. It is also useful for trade union
and employee safety representatives (Surface engineering - Reducing risks associated with using
coating powders - employers, n. d.).
If significant exposure occurs, most dusts can cause health effects such as occupational asthma and
skin irritation and skin sensitization. It is important to emphasize that health hazards from the use of
commonly available coating powders arise from direct skin contact with the powders and from
breathing airborne powders. Also, some pigments and curing/hardening agents used in some powders
are toxic.
Some examples of environments where exposure to dust and fume can occur are:
• Manufacturing (welding and welding fumes)
• Vehicle repair shops (car sanding and painting, exhaust fumes)
• Bakeries (flour and other ingredients)
• School and university workshops (use of carpentry machinery, welding, and metal casting)
• Beauty salons (use of solvents and latex gloves)

Important aspects, Parameters & Variables

There are several parameters and variables that are important to consider when thinking about taking
care of your health and being safe from dusts to which you may be exposed in various industries, as
it is well known these solid particles that are dispersed in the environment are present in any space,
but especially concentrated in sectors such as mining, textile, agriculture, among others. In all these
sectors they can cause all kinds of respiratory diseases. For this reason, it is important to prevent and
reduce as much as possible the risk associated with these dusts, for this it is necessary to know:
- The composition of the dust: It is important to know that any type of dust involves some type of
risk, for this reason it is necessary to know the composition of the material that originated the particles
or in case it is not enough, to perform a chemical analysis of the air samples. Doing this allows to
differentiate if the dust would only slightly irritate the respiratory tract or can cause a specific disease
(lead, silica), even in some cases to explode (aluminum, carbon).
- Particle size: The smallest particles are the most dangerous 'because they can remain a greater
amount of time in the air and penetrate deeper into the bronchi, in addition to not being visible in
many cases it is considered that you can breathe normally when it is not. It is quite serious to be
exposed to environments with particle sizes smaller than 5 microns since they can penetrate the
pulmonary alveolus.
- Amount of dust in the environment: It is easy to know if there are visible clouds of dust or
accumulation in some equipment, but the best way to know this parameter is by air sampling through
appropriate filters. The respirable fraction is separated, and its mass (in mg/m3) is measured by a
method called gravimetry.
- The type of exposure to dust: It is essential to know how long the person will be exposed to this type
of environment, in addition to the conditions that will have to face in these spaces because breathing
can be increased due to heat, stress, physical exertion, among others. Finally, analyze the space to
recognize if there is the presence of vapors or gases that can impregnate the particles and increase
their harmfulness.
Considering all the above mentioned, it is also important to have the necessary protective equipment,
especially goggles and masks to protect the places where these dusts can enter. Finally, it is essential
to have a good ventilation and air distribution process to ensure greater safety for the health of
personnel or to use a localized aspiration process to ensure greater efficiency at the time of capturing
the dust. (POLVOS, n. d.).
Equipment
At the industrial level, various equipment and processes can generate dust as a by-product, some of
which is dispersed into the air. Generating implications for the health and safety of workers. Thus,
some of the common equipment found in industry that can generate powders include:
1. Conveyors and material handling systems: This classification includes equipment such as
conveyor belts, bucket elevators and pneumatic conveying systems, which can generate dust
when solids are moved or transferred from one place to another.
2. Dryers: Industrial dryers, such as fluidized bed dryers, drum dryers and spray dryers, are
used to remove moisture from solids. During the drying process, powder may be generated
as water evaporates and solids are dewatered.
3. Mills and crushers: This equipment is used to reduce the size of solids, either by cutting,
crushing or grinding. These operations generate powder due to friction and fragmentation of
the materials. Thus, the powders generated during these operations may contain fine particles
that can be inhaled and cause respiratory problems and other adverse health effects.
4. Mixers and Agitators: Equipment used for mixing and agitating solids, such as powder
mixers, drum mixers and industrial agitators, can generate dust and airborne particles during
the mixing and agitation process, which can affect worker safety.
5. Screening and sieving operations: This process is used to separate particles of different
sizes, which is an operation that can generate dust particles. Thus, when solids are screened
or sieved by passing through sieves, agitation and movement occur, causing the release of
fine particles and dust that can be inhaled and affect health.
According to the above, a control system should be implemented in the industry to regulate the
amount and generation of powders or airborne particles that can be inhaled by workers. There are
several appropriate control measures to reduce the impact of powders and reduce exposure to them
for the safety of operators (Ortega, 2020). There are four main control measures:
1. Ventilation systems: The best way to eliminate dust in industrial operations is through an
industrial air purification system, which is responsible for removing suspended particles in
the air, allowing the renewal of the environment of the facilities. Also called industrial air
filters, they are in charge of extracting and eliminating dust particles generated by equipment
and operations that interact with different types of solid materials. There are several types of
filters that can be used in extraction hoods or in collection systems at dust generation points,
 which can be: activated carbon for molecular size particles; electrostatic, wet filters to
separate dust, dry filters and high-quality filters (Becosan, 2020).
2. Dust containment: Use equipment with integrated dust containment systems, such as
enclosed covers or hoppers, to reduce dust dispersion during loading, unloading, and
material handling operations, with the purpose of these systems capturing dust generated
during these operations and directing it to filtration systems or retention devices. Physical
barriers, such as curtains or panels, can also be implemented around work areas to contain
dust and prevent its dispersion to other areas (Industrial Quick Search, s.f.).
3. Use of personal protective equipment (PPE): Provide workers with appropriate PPE, such
as respiratory masks (N95 or higher masks), safety glasses, gloves, and protective suits, as
needed. On the other hand, also train workers in the correct use of PPE and ensure that the
equipment is in good condition, fits properly and is always used when there is a risk of
exposure to dust (Ortega, 2020).
4. Maintenance and cleaning: Perform regular maintenance of equipment to minimize dust
leakage and ensure that it is in good working order. Also, implement adequate cleaning
procedures to remove accumulated dust from work areas, using methods that minimize dust
dispersion, such as dry vacuuming instead of broom or compressed air cleaning (Ortega,
2020).

Historic incidents of powders affecting humans’ health

1. Asbestos Contamination: Asbestos is a mineral fiber known for its heat resistance and
durability. It was widely used in various industries, including construction and insulation.
However, long-term exposure to asbestos fibers can cause serious health issues, including
lung diseases such as asbestosis and mesothelioma. Numerous cases of asbestos-related
illnesses have been reported, leading to strict regulations and bans on asbestos in many
countries (Whitmer, 2023).
2. Lead Poisoning: Lead is a toxic metal that was once commonly used in products such as
paint, gasoline, and plumbing pipes. Ingesting or inhaling lead particles can lead to lead
poisoning, which can cause severe developmental and neurological problems, especially in
children. Historic incidents of lead poisoning occurred when lead-based paint was used in
homes and lead-contaminated water was supplied to communities, such as the Flint water
crisis in Michigan, USA (Sampson, 2023).
3. Talcum Powder Controversy: Talcum powder is a product made from talc, a naturally
occurring mineral. It has been used for various purposes, including personal hygiene.
However, concerns have been raised about the potential link between talcum powder and
ovarian cancer. Lawsuits have been filed against manufacturers alleging that long-term use
of talcum powder in the genital area can increase the risk of cancer (American cancer society,
2022). As an example, the Johnson & Johnson Baby powder controversy. J&J faces tens of
thousands of lawsuits from women who allege its talcum powder contained asbestos and
caused them to develop ovarian cancer (Hoskins, 2022).
4. Industrial Chemical Accidents: There have been several incidents involving industrial
chemical powders that have resulted in significant health impacts. For example, the Bhopal
disaster in 1984, India, involved the release of a toxic gas called methyl isocyanate from a
pesticide plant, leading to thousands (15,000 to 20,000) of immediate deaths and long-term
 health problems for survivors (The editors of Encyclopedia Britannica, n.d). Similarly, the
explosion at a fertilizer plant in West, Texas, in 2013 caused numerous injuries and fatalities
due to the release of hazardous chemicals (Gonzales, 2016).
5. Drug Contamination: There have been cases where contaminated powders or medications
have adversely affected human health. For instance, the 1937 Elixir Sulfanilamide incident
in the United States involved a medication containing a toxic solvent that caused more than
a hundred deaths (Ballentine, 1981). More recently, there have been instances of drug recalls
due to contamination issues, highlighting the importance of quality control in pharmaceutical
manufacturing.
References
Los riesgos para la salud causados con el polvo y el humo. (s. f.). https://www.nederman.com/es-
mx/knowledge-center/health-risks-of-dust-and-fume
POLVOS. (n. d.). https://www.icv.csic.es/prevencion/Documentos/manuales/polvo.pdf
Surface engineering – Reducing risks associated with using coating powders – employers.
(n. d.). https://www.hse.gov.uk/surfaceengineering/reducing-risks-using-coating-powders-
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Whitmer, M. (2023). Talcum Powder and Asbestos. Talcum Powder: Asbestos in Talc Products,
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Sampson, S. (2023). Lead Poisoning in children and adults. Lead poisoning: Symptoms, in children,
in adults, causes (medicalnewstoday.com)

Hoskins, P. (2022). Johnson & Johnson to replace talc-based powder with cornstarch. Johnson &
Johnson to replace talc-based powder with cornstarch - BBC News

American Cancer Society. (2022). Talcum Powder and cancer. Talcum Powder and Cancer |
American Cancer Society

The editors od Encyclopedia Britannica. (n.d). Bhopal disaster. Disaster | Description & Types |
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Gonzales, S. (2016). Texas fertilizer plant blast that killed 15 was criminal act: ATF. Texas fertilizer
plant blast that killed 15 was criminal act: ATF | Reuters

Ballentine, Carol. (1981). Sulfanilamide Disaster-FDA Consumer magazine.

https://www.fda.gov/files/about%20fda/published/The-Sulfanilamide-Disaster.pdf
Purificadores de aire industriales. (2020). BECOSAN®. https://www.becosan.com/es/purificadores-
de-aire-industriales/

Dust Collection System: What Is It? How Does It Work, Types. (s. f.).

https://www.iqsdirectory.com/articles/dust-collector/dust-collection-system.html
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Actualidad tecnológica. Obtenido de

https://dialnet.unirioja.es/descarga/articulo/7775337.pdf