Combustible dust cleaning

List of combustible dusts

The list is so long that most companies are unaware that their operations produce combustible dusts. As an indication, here is a list of materials recognized as producing explosive residues:

Agricultural materials: wheat, peanuts, wood, cocoa, cotton, cellulose, flour, whey, corn, rice, soybeans, sugar, peat

Metals: aluminum, antimony, cadnium, copper, tin, iron, magnesium, manganese, lead, silicon, titanium, uranium, zinc

Chemicals: acetylsalicylic acid, adipic acid, benzoic acid, fumaric acid, phthalic anhydride, biphenyl, dimethyl isophalate, mannitol, pentaerythritol, soap, sulfur, zinc stearate, vitamin C (ascorbic acid)

Plastics:ABS, cellulose acetate, rubber, copolymer (styrene), ethylcellulose, nylon, polyacrylonitrile, polycarbonate, polyethylene, polypropylene, resin (epoxy), toner, polyester (styrene …)

Carbon products: asphalt, pitch, coke, bituminous coal, charcoal, graphite, carbon black, lignite

Risks and consequences

Combustible dust, as the name suggests, poses a risk of fire and explosion in the working environment. The consequences of an industrial-type dust explosion or fire are extremely serious and can result in death, worker injury, property damage, production disruption and environmental disaster. These consequences demonstrate the importance of controlling and maintaining combustible dust.