The most dangerous dust is referred to as ‘respirable dust’ (up to 10 microns) .
This dust can’t be seen and remains airborne for up to 8 hours. If you’ve ever cleaned up, and returned to a job the next day to find it covered in dust again, this is respirable dust.
Anything that gets stuck in your nose or throat is called ‘inhalable dust’ (up to 100 microns) .
This is not as dangerous because it doesn’t reach your lungs. However this dust can be harmful if it contains toxic substances like lead.
1000s of vacuum cleaner motors are damaged from dust every year.
Sweeping up exposes you to 4 times more dust than the original task.