Inhalable Hardwood Dust

Reinforced health surveillance is foreseen and the practical recommendations for the health surveillance are given in Annex II. Annex III sets limit values on the basis of the available information, including scientific and technical data. At present, Annex in includes only limit values for benzene, vinyl chloride monomer and inhalable hardwood dust. 

In 1987, the atmospheric limit value for wood dust (the TRK value) was established at 2 mg/m for new plants and 5 mg/m for old / existing plants. Since 1996, the 2 mg/tn value,measured as inhalable ( E ) dust (Technical Rule for Hazardous Substances N° 900), applies to all workplaces where wood dust is generated. At European level, the limit value for hardwood dust is 5 mg/m (Coimcil Directive 1999/38/EC). 

Inhalable fraction if hardwood dusts are mixed with other wood dusts, the limit value shall apply to all wood dusts present in that mixture. 

Maximum exposure limits (MEL) This is the maximum concentration of an airborne substance, averaged over a reference period, to which employees may be exposed by inhalation under any circumstances. Details of the legal requirements are contained in Schedule 1 of the COSHH Regulations and the relevant substances are listed in the first part of the HSE s Guidance Note EH 40. Currently there are 32 substances listed but this is reviewed each year. A few selected examples are hardwood dust, rubber fume, cadmium and compounds and 1.1.1-trichloroethane. 

Inhalation of softwood dust Inhalation of hardwood dust Noise Vibration... 

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