Properties and toxicity of airborne wood dust in wood-working establishments

The total suspended dust levels, particle shape and size distributions and metal concentrations (Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb and Zn) of wood dust in the breathing zone of 3 small wood-working establishments were monitored. In vitro culture assay indicated that the mortality of alveolar macrophage was related to the metal content of dust collected from these 3 workplaces.