All articles

How to get rid of dust in the air

03/26/24 3 min reading time Health

There's no way to stop dust from accumulating in the air at your workplace. But just because it's there doesn't mean you should let it cause a problem. Here's what you need to know about how to get rid of dust the air, and why leaving it to linger can cause serious health hazards. 

dust in the air

How do you end up with dust in the air?

To the naked eye, all dust might look the same. But there are many different types of dust, all generated from different sources. No matter where dust particles in the air come from, they can be a serious problem, particularly when they are so light that they float in the atmosphere for hours before landing on surfaces.

Below are just a few common causes of dust in the air:

  • Manufacturing processes like grinding, cutting, or drilling
  • Rain and wind cause erosion, which leads to dust in the air
  • Industrial combustion processes and transportation
  • Pollen or fungi, as well as viruses and bacteria
  • Dust disturbed by people moving about

The most dangerous types of dust are the smallest kinds, known as fine dust, which are so tiny they are often completely invisible.

Air purifiers: The only way to effectively get rid of dust in the air

Getting rid of dust in the air is no easy task, especially if you don't have the right equipment. Because dust particles come in so many sizes, businesses need air purifiers that have a variety of filters for specific types of pollutants. Zehnder Clean Air Solutions is here to help: We not only offer the best industrial air cleaners, but we also take care of installation, monitoring, and maintenance as long as you have your filters in place. We haven't met a dust problem we can't solve, so why not reach out and meet with one of our experts today?

The different types of dust in the air

There are many different types of dust. Here are some of the common particles that may be in the air you breathe at work:

  • PM1 – These ultrafine particles, less than 0.001mm in diameter, are invisible to the naked eye. They are so small, it's easier for them to enter the bloodstream.
  • PM2.5 These are your most common pollutants. They are bigger than PM1, but still very tiny less than 0.0025 mm in diameter. Sometimes this is called fine dust or respirable dust.
  • PM10 –These dust particles have less than 0.01 mm diameter, so they are still very small, but bigger than PM2.5. The main concern about PM10 dust is when it gets into the sinuses or lungs.
  • Coarse dust This dust you can most likely see in the air or on surfaces, as it has a diameter from 0.01 mm upwards. You might find hair or sand in this category.
  • Black Carbon When fossil fuels and biomass are burned inefficiently, they produce a mix of harmful dust particles called black carbon.
  • Total Suspended Solids This term refers to collectively to dust particles of any size.

The health hazards of dust in the air

dust affects human health

Dust is made up of tiny particles that can cause big problems. In fact, smaller particles often are greater health hazards, because they can make their way into our lungs, sinuses, or even our bloodstreams. 

To truly understand the dangerous dust at your workplace, consider how long you and your coworkers are exposed. Long-term exposure to fine and ultrafine particles (PM2.5 and smaller) may cause serious health problems. Inhaling PM1 dust over a long period of time may even cause organ damage. 

welding fume extraction with industrial air purification

Want to protect yourself, your colleagues, and your business from harmful dust in the air? We'll be happy to help you find the right air purification system to capture every type of particle before any damage is done. Get in touch with one of our experts today. 

Clean air is within reach
Enjoy expert advice tailored to your working environment
Start your journey