Validation of a method for powder dustiness measurement in conventional health-related aerosol fractions

A method of measurement the dustiness was tested and perfected. The limits of detection and quantification, as well as the repeatability and the reproducibility of the tests were evaluated. The dustiness of forty industrial powders were determined. Alveolar, thoracic and respirable dustiness indices were classified into four categories: very low, low, moderate and high.
Dustiness was then studied as a function of the mechanical properties of the powders. The results of measurement of flow index and flood index of powders and their impact on the dustiness led to conclude on the need to measure the dustiness independently of other physical powder parameters