Evaluation of Environmental and Respirable Dust in Air of Tile Industry in South Khorasan

  Background & Aims of the Study: Dust is one of the detrimental factors in workplace of tile industry. Exposure to excessive amount of dust can create various hazards to the workers. Therefore, the present study aimed to measure the concentration of environmental and respirable dust in air of Birjand Niloofar tile Industry. Materials & Methods: In the present study, using personal and environmental sampling method, the concentration of total and respirable dust was measured. The concentration of dust determined with gravimetric method. Results: Measurement of dust in Niloofar tile No. 1, 2 and 3 showed the highest level of total dust was in Niloofar tile No.2 in tile crusher station (120.71 mg/m 3 ). The maximum amount of respirable dust found in the mentioned station in Niloofar tile No.2 (370.35 mg/m 3 ). Conclusions: The results showed among the three factories, Niloofar tile factory No. 3 had the lowest dust concentration and Niloofar tile factory No. 2 especially crusher station had the highest dust concentration. Therefore, prevention strategies should be considered in stations with higher dust concentration regarding to reducing of exposure to high level of dust.