Grain dust is an unavoidable aspect of transporting and handling grain; this issue must be tackled with optimal management techniques to avoid safety risks. The dust that occurs during grain handling operations typically consists of grain and soil particles, plant material, fungi, bacteria, fertilizer, agricultural chemical residues, insect waste, small rodents, and birds. The composition of grain dust can vary depending on the type of grain that is being transported, its growing conditions, the way the grain is harvested, stored, and processed; for example, rotten grain contains elevated amounts of dust and bacteria.
One of the biggest dangers that grain dust poses is the risk of an explosion. Not every kind of dust is combustible: for dust to trigger an explosion, it must be flammable itself. For example, salt dust, no matter the amounts of it present in the air, will not cause an explosion as salt itself does not burn. Grain, on the other hand, especially in the form of dust, is highly flammable and often causes explosions at grain storage at transportation facilities. The explosive nature of dust varies on the type of grain and its minimum explosive concentration (MEC). A critical MEC level can be reached in a very short time during handling operations. Given that all other elements (confinement, ignition source, oxygen) are present, an explosion is inevitable.
Grain dust also causes serious health problems for those who are exposed to it. Inhalation of grain dust causes lung-related problems like coughing, shortness of breath, wheezing, asthma, chronic bronchitis, and allergies. Skin exposure to grain dust causes rashes, irritation, eye inflammation, nasal irritation, and grain fever.
There are several possible solutions to the grain dust problem:
- Adjustments to grain handling processes can positively impact and lead to a reduction in grain dust levels. Possible changes to the handling process include limitation of operations when it is windy; reduction of the grain free-fall distances and grain velocities; removing the “wind tunnel” by enclosing the receiving area; keeping a conveyor belt at the lowest speed, etc.
- Collecting grain dust is the most efficient method to decrease the amount of grain dust in the air and lower the chance of combustion.
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