Nuisance dust is any airborne liquid, or solid, that is not harmful to the human body if the levels of concentration in the air and the duration of exposure to the environment is kept below a specific level. Nuisance dust is also known as nuisance particulate and occurs as a result of manufacturing activities such as grinding, sanding, smoking, and polishing.
In the workplace, employees may be required to work in or be exposed to environments that contain nuisance dust. It is the employer's responsibility to provide a safe environment and protect the employee from illness or harm as a result of this contamination by ensuring that nuisance dust levels are controlled and respiratory protection equipment is supplied. The acceptable levels are determined by institutions such as the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH) and the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH). Factors that are taken into consideration are the particulate size and type, the concentration of the particulate in a given area and the duration of exposure to the particulate. If the levels are not controlled, employees may be at risk of incurring damage to the eyes, lungs, and respiratory tract.
Synonyms
Nuisance Particulate
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