NIOSH Publication No. 2005–136


Technology News 509 - A New Method to Clean Dust From Soiled Work Clothes

May 2005

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A new clothes-cleaning process was developed that uses a compressed air nozzle manifold to blow dust from the worker's clothes in an enclosed booth. The air exhausted by the dust collector causes the booth to be under negative pressure, so no dust escapes to contaminate the work environment or other workers. The process is more effective in removing dust from work clothes than methods currently used by workers. Test results showed that the process cleaned work clothes 10 times faster and removed up to 50% more dust than the single air hose or vacuuming methods. The average cleaning time with this technique was less than 20 seconds.

Author(s):Cecala-AB, Pollock-DE
Reference:Pittsburgh, PA: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Public Health Service, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, NIOSH Publication No. 2005-136, Technology News 509, 2005 May; :1-2

   tn509 (PDF, 649 KB)


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Page last updated: September 17, 2008
Content Source: National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Mining Division