Grinding Safety
Grinding is an intense mechanical process involving high stresses. As such there are many safety issue from the grinding machine to the process and even the fine particles generated by the grinding process. As with any mechanical process, the operator should proceed with caution. (RDC 5/7/2011)
Recent Journal Articles
Health and environmental safety aspects of friction grinding and spray drying of microfibrillated cellulose
(775-786) Cellulose 18 #3 (2011)
Vartiainen et al of Finland, studied the health effects of fibrillating wood fibres under high compression and shear forces. Processing of microfibrillated cellulose (MFC) with either a friction grinder or a spray dryer did not cause significant exposure to particles during normal operation. Grinding generated small amount of particles, which were mostly removed by fume hood. The spray dryer leaked particles when duct valve was closed, but when correctly operated the exposure to particles was low or nonexistent. The results of toxicity studies suggest that the friction ground MFC is not cytotoxic and does not cause any effects on inflammatory system in macrophages. (RDC 5/5/2011)