Fine dust, the importance of vacuum systems in dental laboratories

Potential risks and hazards for workers in the sector

Potential risks and hazards for workers in the sector

The day-to-day activities carried out in dental laboratories present workers with risks related to the working environment (from lighting to microclimate) and the use of hazardous chemicals, as well as the use of delicate and potentially dangerous machinery and equipment.

While this equipment can pose a risk of abrasions, injuries and burns, the materials themselves that are processed in dental laboratories become dangerous if inhaled when dispersed into the environment.

In addition, the dental laboratory is a biohazardous area, and even if the laboratory does not deliberately use biological agents, it may still come into contact with some of them. For this reason, it is important to carry out a proper risk assessment that takes into account the different degrees of pathogenicity and virulence related also to different exposure scenarios and transmission routes of the biological agents themselves.

Curiosities

According to various studies, a dental technician is exposed to around 10-12 kg of harmful substances per year.

The day-to-day activities carried out in dental laboratories present workers with risks related to the working environment (from lighting to microclimate) and the use of hazardous chemicals, as well as the use of delicate and potentially dangerous machinery and equipment.

While this equipment can pose a risk of abrasions, injuries and burns, the materials themselves that are processed in dental laboratories become dangerous if inhaled when dispersed into the environment.

In addition, the dental laboratory is a biohazardous area, and even if the laboratory does not deliberately use biological agents, it may still come into contact with some of them. For this reason, it is important to carry out a proper risk assessment that takes into account the different degrees of pathogenicity and virulence related also to different exposure scenarios and transmission routes of the biological agents themselves.

Curiosities

According to various studies, a dental technician is exposed to around 10-12 kg of harmful substances per year.

The role of prevention

The role of prevention

The greatest challenge for effective prevention on a large scale is to create a basic culture in dental laboratories that makes workers aware of the importance of disinfection and cleanliness in the workplace.

Proper environmental hygiene not only leads to a considerable reduction in dust inhalation but also, and this should not be underestimated, limits the possibility of foreign bodies (from resin to metal dust) entering the eyes.

The greatest challenge for effective prevention on a large scale is to create a basic culture in dental laboratories that makes workers aware of the importance of disinfection and cleanliness in the workplace.

Proper environmental hygiene not only leads to a considerable reduction in dust inhalation but also, and this should not be underestimated, limits the possibility of foreign bodies (from resin to metal dust) entering the eyes.

Fine dust extractors

Fine dust extractors

There are various types of vacuum cleaners for dental laboratories, from mobile to stationary. However, it is essential to ensure that the suction power can be adjusted and that the acoustic impact is as low as possible.

The role of the vacuum cleaner is basically twofold: on the one hand it reduces the level of fine dust inhaled, and on the other it can help reduce the all too often underestimated damage to the acoustic system.

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