What are the hazards of dust to the human body?

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Based on their properties, dusts can be divided into 3 categories: inorganic dusts (mineral dusts such as silica, asbestos, coal, etc.; metallic dusts such as iron, tin, aluminum, and their compounds; artificial inorganic dusts such as cement and emery). Organic dusts (including plant-based dusts such as cotton, linen, flour, and wood; animal-based dusts such as fur, silk, and bone dust; and synthetically produced organic dusts such as synthetic dyes, pesticides, and synthetic resins), and mixed dusts (a combination of the above two types of dusts). Depending on their chemical properties, dusts can have effects on the human body such as causing fibrosis, poisoning, or allergies; for example, free silica dust can cause fibrosis. Dust with a diameter of less than 5 μm (aerodynamic diameter) is highly harmful to the body and can easily reach the deeper parts of the respiratory organs. The concentration of dust is also related to the degree of harm it poses to humans. Specific effects of dust on health – Systemic effects: Prolonged inhalation of high concentrations of dust can lead to systemic diseases characterized by diffuse, progressive fibrosis in the lungs (pneumoconiosis). If toxic dusts such as those containing lead, copper, zinc, or manganese are inhaled, they can dissolve on the walls of the bronchi and be absorbed, then carried through the blood to various parts of the body, causing systemic poisoning. Lead poisoning is chronic, but acute episodes of the condition can occur if the affected person has a fever, takes certain medications, or consumes excessive alcohol. Excessive inhalation of copper dust can lead to hemolytic anemia. When zinc burns, it produces zinc oxide dust, and inhaling this dust can cause a disease similar to malaria, known as \"metal fume fever.\" Prolonged exposure to manganese and its oxide dusts or fumes can have adverse effects on the central nervous system, respiratory system, and digestive system. Local effects: Upon contact or inhalation of dust, it first causes local irritation to the skin, cornea, mucous membranes, etc., leading to a series of pathological changes. When dust affects the respiratory tract, it can initially cause hyperfunction of the nasal mucosa and dilation of capillaries; over time, this leads to hypertrophic rhinitis, and ultimately, due to insufficient nutrient supply to the mucosa, atrophic rhinitis develops. Pharyngitis, laryngitis, tracheitis, and bronchitis can also occur. When it comes into contact with the skin, it can cause acne, folliculitis, and pyoderma. If lead dust penetrates the skin, small red spots appear, a condition known as \"lead dermatitis\". Carcinogenicity: Exposure to dusts such as nickel, chromium, and chromates can cause lung cancer; exposure to dusts of radioactive minerals can also lead to lung cancer; asbestos dust can cause skin cancer. Infective effect: Some organic dusts, such as those from torn cloth, animal skins, and grains, often contain pathogenic microorganisms like actinomycetes and radiomyces. When these dusts enter the lungs, they can cause pulmonary mycosis and other related diseases. The effects of dust on the lungs: Pneumoconiosis, which results from long-term inhalation of occupational dust, is a common and highly harmful occupational disease. Due to the different properties of dust, the pathological changes it causes in lung tissue also vary; lung diseases caused by dust can be divided into three main categories. 1. Pneumoconiosis. The \"List of Occupational Diseases\" issued by the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Labor and Social Security on April 18, 2004 classifies dust-related lung diseases into 13 types based on their causes, including silicosis, welder’s lung, and caster’s lung. Pneumoconiosis is an incurable disease according to current medical standards; therefore, in the \"Evaluation Criteria for Safety and Quality Standardization in Machinery Manufacturing Enterprises,\" the degree of risk associated with exposure to occupational dusts (one of the four classification levels) and occupational health monitoring are listed as important elements of the evaluation. 2. Pulmonary pneumoconiosis. Some productive dusts, such as those of tin, barium, antimony, etc., can deposit in lung tissue after inhalation, causing typical foreign body reactions; they pose little harm to human health or have no significant effects. The lesions can gradually diminish or disappear with treatment or by removing exposure to the dust. 3. Pulmonary lesions caused by organic dusts. Pulmonary inflammation caused by organic dusts, as well as conditions such as pneumoconiosis, are extremely rare in manufacturing enterprises. Due to limited research on the causes of diseases caused by organic dusts and differing opinions regarding their pathogenic mechanisms, these conditions have not yet been classified as occupational diseases. Personal protection: Implement targeted personal protection measures based on the ways in which dust can harm the human body and the pathways through which such harm occurs. There are three ways by which dust (or toxins) can cause harm to the human body: first, through inhalation, entering the body via the respiratory tract; second, through the skin’s sweat glands, sebaceous glands, and hair follicles; third, through ingestion, entering the body via the digestive tract. Regarding the routes of exposure, personal protective measures include: first, preventing dust from entering the respiratory system. Depending on the nature of the dust, different types of dust masks and respirators should be used (for certain toxic dusts, gas masks are also necessary); secondly, it is necessary to prevent the dust from coming into contact with the skin. Wear work clothes properly (some require coveralls with hoods), helmets (the human head is an area with a high concentration of sweat glands, sebaceous glands, and hair follicles), glasses, etc.; thirdly, eating, smoking, drinking water, etc. are prohibited in areas where dust is present. The above content is based on books such as \"Safety Production Technology\" and \"Safety Production Management\". Furthermore, improving the working environment is much better than wearing protective gear.