Is paper dust harmful to health? How to reduce paper dust?

June 24, 2022

There is no denying the development of the paper industry today. It is estimated that the global production of paper and cardboard is close to 409 million tons (in 2021). This means that the amount of paper dust produced is extremely large. Many people are afraid that paper dust is harmful to health or not? What happens if paper dust gets into the lungs? How to reduce paper dust? Find out in the article below.

Paper consumption worldwide from 2020 to 2030*(in million metric tons) — Paper consumption worldwide 2020 – 2030.Source: *Here*

Why does paper dust arise?

Paper plays an important role in everyday life. However, the paper-making process can generate a lot of paper dust. In particular, the production of recycled paper can generate more paper dust than other types of paper.

During the production and processing of paper, small dust particles or residues can become airborne. Inhaling large amounts of this dust can damage the lungs (the degree of harm varies depending on the nature of the dust).

Paper dust can also arise in the processes of paper sorting, paper material preservation, etc.

Wood is one of the raw materials for making paper. Wood dust is one of the harmful dust. Wood dust is classified as a group I carcinogen. You can learn more about wood dust here: Wood dust

Is paper dust harmful to health? Health risks with paper dust

Case 1:

According to a study on how paper dust affects the respiratory tract. Test from a paper mill in Sweden. By questionnaires and lung function tests, allergy screening for workers here.

Methods:’ 198 workers who have been and are working at the paper mill will be measured without bronchiectasis, forced vital capacity (FVC) and forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV).

Results: Years of exposure to soft paper dust were strongly associated with reduced lung function. Each year of exposure to soft paper dust can reduce FEV by 0.87%, reducing FVC compared to those exposed to less paper dust. Therefore, it can be concluded that the fact that workers working in paper mills are at risk of being exposed to soft paper dust of more than 5mg/m3 in a year, which may be related to the decline in lung function, and increased incidence of obstructive pulmonary function decline.

Case 2:

Investigate exposure to dust from cleaning products containing absorbent polymers. Whether they affect the eye or respiratory symptoms.

Methods: For 1043 workers, of which 689 were exposed to super absorbent polymers, 804 were exposed to paper dust. 186 workers were not exposed to super absorbent polymers or paper dust.

Results: Workers exposed to paper dust had a high rate of nasal scabs and nosebleeds. There were no significant effects associated with exposure to the superabsorbent polymer. It can be seen that diaper production workers in the sanitary industry have an increased incidence of nasal symptoms.

See more cases here. Source: Here

It can be said that the working environment in the paper industry is capable of generating large amounts of paper dust. Paper mills use equipment and materials that may contain asbestos, including sandpaper and dryers. Asbestos is an extremely toxic substance, they can cause asbestosis. The lungs of people infected with asbestosis can cause a fibrotic lung reaction. Former paper mill workers are among those seeking compensation for asbestos-related illnesses each year.

Conclusion

Paper dust is a type of dust that can cause direct health effects such as allergic rhinitis and pneumonia because it can be toxic or cause irritation. Substances such as asbestos produce dust particles or fibers that cause toxicity. Inhaling dust can cause damage to the lungs and damage to other parts of the body.

With the nature of fine and small dust, paper dust easily enters the body through the respiratory tract. The smaller the particle size, the more dangerous it tends to be for human health. Fine paper dust particles with a small size < PM 2.5 can stick to the lungs and be difficult to eliminate. It is very dangerous to breathe in a concentrated amount of paper dust.

In addition, can directly affect the eyes if people come into contact with paper dust. When paper dust gets into the eyes, it causes eye pain, and eye fatigue and can cause vision loss if exposed to too much for a long time with paper dust.

Thus, it is necessary to take measures to help limit paper dust. Prevent paper dust from adversely affecting workers’ health.

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How to reduce paper dust?

We cannot try to get rid of all paper dust, but we can reduce the spread of paper dust in the following ways:

– Minimize direct contact between workers and paper dust by using protective equipment during work. Fully equipped with protective clothing, goggles, and protective masks for workers when working. This significantly prevents dust exposure.

– Periodic health checks for workers in the paper industry. Timely detection and treatment of health problems. Help improve the health of workers

– Keep workers’ resting space clean. Ensure workers’ resting space is dust-free.

– The most important thing in the paper industry is the installation of dust collection systems. This system helps to quickly collect the generated paper dust. Timely prevent paper dust from spreading to the surrounding environment. (Here: Paper dust extraction system). The collection of paper dust helps to keep the factory space clean, and the amount of paper dust collected can be reused. This helps cleaning workers minimize dust exposure. In addition to dust collection, factories can use ventilation systems to help dilute the air in the workshop, effectively reducing the concentration of paper dust.

People also ask

What is a paper dust?

Paper dust is small, dry, or powdery dust particles that fly in the air, containing components of the paper.

What is the cause of paper dust?

Paper dust is generated in the process of paper production, the stages of paper creation, the processes of paper classification, and the preservation of paper materials.

Can paper dust cause lung problems?

Can. Paper dust can enter the lungs causing adverse effects on the lungs.

What are the risks of being exposed to large amounts of paper dust?

- Paper dust causes pore blockage, causing dermatitis. - Paper dust in contact with eyes causes eye pain, eye inflammation, vision loss. - Paper dust affects the respiratory tract, rhinitis, sinusitis. - Penetrating inside the body causes health effects.