What Are the Immediate Symptoms of Dust Exposure?
Common short-term effects of particulate matter include:
Coughing or wheezing
Runny nose or nasal congestion
Allergic reactions such as allergic rhinitis, dust mite allergy, or irritation from pet dander and house dust (which may contain mites)
Sore throat or dry mouth
Eye redness and irritation
Shortness of breath during activity
These symptoms usually improve after the removal of dust from the environment, but repeated exposure can cause lasting damage.
What Long-Term Health Issues Can Dust Cause?
1. Silicosis
What it is: A lung disease caused by breathing in silica, common in construction and manufacturing.
Symptoms: Shortness of breath, persistent cough, chest pain, fatigue.
Symptoms of silicosis may worsen over time, leading to progressive massive fibrosis and, in severe cases, the need for a lung transplant.
Prevention: Use suppression, wear a rated face mask, and follow COSHH guidance.
2. Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)
What it is: A general term for lung conditions that cause breathing difficulty, often linked to long-term risk of exposure to dust.
Symptoms: Wheezing, chronic cough, shortness of breath, frequent chest infections.
Prevention: Control dust at its source, improve ventilation, and provide respiratory PPE.
3. Asthma
What it is: Chronic inflammation of the respiratory tract, which can be triggered by fine dust or allergic reactions.
Symptoms: Wheezing, chest tightness, breathlessness, and coughing at night.
Prevention: Identify triggers such as house dust, pet dander, or dust mites; use air filtration and PPE.
4. Chronic Bronchitis
What it is: Long-term inflammation of the airways, often from breathing in particles over a long length of time.
Symptoms: Persistent cough with mucus, fatigue, reduced lung function.
Prevention: Dust suppression, regular cleaning, and health monitoring.
