Wood dust sampling and cyclone use

April 22, 1993

Gregory R. Wagner, M.D.
Centers for Disease Control
National Institute for Occupational
Safety and Health-ALOSH
[Recipient address omitted]
Dear Dr. Wagner,

Thank you for your concern regarding wood dust sampling by OSHA expressed in your letter of March 22, 1993. The reference to respirable sampling in the written record was a typographical error. We have never recommended respirable sampling for wood dust for precisely the reasons you cited in your letter. The correct information in the OSHA Computerized Information System (OCIS) reflects the appropriate reference to total dust sampling. As a result of your letter we added a notation specifically to indicate that no cyclone should be used.

For your information, the IMIS code W103 cited was entered for our standard 29 CFR 1910.1000 Table Z-1-A, in place between 1 March 1989 through 22 March 1993. The standard in this table was 5 mg/m(3) total dust, 10 mg/m(3) STEL (total dust). This standard was vacated and the current standard is 15 mg/m(3) total dust cited in 29 CFR 1910.1000 table Z-3 Inert or Nuisance Dust.

Thanks again for your concern. Should you have any further issues do not hesitate to contact me.

Sincerely,
Floyd A. Madsen
Director

[Requester letter reproduced on OSHA page; omitted here.]