The Impacts of Bone Dust on Indoor Air Quality

Studying bones and fossils is a pathway to knowledge for anthropologists. The resulting analytics may be used for scientific study, the advancement of medicine, or to solve crimes. During anthropological research, bones are often x-rayed and photographed, but other techniques, such as saws and drills, are also employed. These latter methods create considerable bone dust and pose an occupational risk when the emissions enter a worker’s breathing space. However, there are ways to eliminate the risk in order to maintain safety.

Who Studies Bones?

The specific study of bones is called osteology, which is the science that examines their biophysics, structure, elements, and function. Osteologists are scientists who specialize in bones and the skeletal system. Anthropologists study human remains to learn about past civilizations. But other professionals rely on the knowledge gleaned from bones, as well. Such as:

Forensic specialists – such as law enforcement and medical examiners

Academic researchers – for the study of human evolution and genetics

Medical researchers – to understand and treat bone disease; understand diet and health

What’s the Problem with Bone Dust?

Skeletal remains can contain fragments of soil and other potentially contaminated elements. These, along with the bones themselves, can harbor mold, bacteria, and other toxins. When someone studying a bone disrupts the artifact by sawing, breaking, or drilling it, potentially hazardous dust emissions are generated.

According to a study done by the National Institutes of Health, when sawing into human remains, fine dust is produced, which consists of particles of sizes that may fall within the human respirable range and can act as vectors for pathogens. While the study was specific to sawing or drilling during autopsies, one can reason that the effects would be the same for other purposes as well.

Health Problems from Bone Dust

Human and animal bones can play host to many organisms, some of which are pathogenic. While dead or fossilized bodies do not generally pose a health hazard, the disturbance caused by drilling or sawing creates particulate dust and aerosols that may contain mold, mildew, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). The dust particles can irritate eyes and skin and, if inhaled, cause respiratory complications. Workers subjected to chronic exposure to bone dust can suffer long-term health effects if proper protective measures are not in place.

Solution

To avoid occupational exposure to bone dust, workers should take the following precautions:

1. Use personal protective (PPE) equipment such as gloves, masks, and goggles.
2. Keep work areas clean and dust-free.
3. Ensure proper room ventilation.
4. Remove bone dust particles at the source by using a dust-collecting air cleaner.

At AIRSInc., we protect our forensic, medical, and academic anthropology customers by offering exceptional air cleaning products, such as our SP-400 Portable Fume Extractor with a HEPA filter option. Dust collectors (also known as air purifiers, air cleaners, and filtration systems) can help improve IAQ by removing potentially hazardous emissions at their source, before they can enter a worker’s breathing space. Contact us today for a free consultation with one of our indoor environmental specialists to find out which one of our air cleaning products is right for you.