Chemical dusts are particularly challenging because different chemicals are governed by different regulations. OSHA has established a lot of regulations relevant to the chemical industry. Some of the more common chemical dusts are listed below with their PEL.
- Cadmium: 5 µg/m³
- Chromium: 5 µg/m³
- Cobalt: 1 mg/m³
- Iron oxide: 15 mg/m³
- Zinc oxide: 15 mg/m³
The American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH) recommends more strict guidelines using their own recommended time weighted averages (TWA). Many dominant manufacturers strive to meet ACGIH guidelines in order to provide reliable safety measures. Here are some of the substances and their TWA*:
- Cadmium: 0.01 mg/m³
- Chromium: 0.5 mg/m³
- Cobalt: 0.02 mg/m³
- Iron Oxide: 5 mg/m³
- Zinc Oxide: 2 mg/m³
*These TWAs may not reflect the latest publications
To view more regulations and recommendations for this industry, visit the following websites.
OSHA - Occupational Safety and Health Administration of the U.S. Department of Labor
ACGIH - American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists
NIOSH - National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
NFPA - National Fire Protection Association
EPA - United States Environmental Protection Agency
CSB - U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board
Please note, this is a list of common applicable regulations, not a comprehensive list of all regulations applicable to this industry and may not reflect the latest publications.