Dust monitoring

Why test for dust in New Zealand workplaces?

Airborne dust in New Zealand workplaces can present significant health risks for workers, contractors and building occupants. Dust is produced from many common materials such as timber, flour, grain, silica, cement and various metals. Each dust type can lead to different health effects depending on its composition. For example, hardwood dust is classified as a human carcinogen, while flour dust is a known sensitiser that can trigger occupational asthma and other allergic reactions. All airborne dusts are considered hazardous because they may contribute to respiratory irritation, chronic lung disease and longer-term health impacts.

Workplace dusts are grouped into two key categories:

• Inhalable dust – this is the portion of dust that can be taken into the mouth and nose during normal breathing.
• Respirable dust – this refers to the smaller fraction of particles, typically ten microns or less, that can travel deep into the lungs, including the lower airways and alveoli.

Testing dust levels in the workplace is essential to:

• Protect health – inhalable and respirable dust can cause irritation, allergic responses, asthma and long-term respiratory disease.
• Meet NZ compliance requirements – the Health and Safety at Work Act requires employers to monitor airborne contaminants and ensure effective control measures are in place.
• Improve workplace performance – dust monitoring helps identify contamination sources, evaluate how well controls are functioning and support ongoing improvements in occupational hygiene programs.