{"id":98125,"date":"2021-07-29T09:50:37","date_gmt":"2021-07-29T07:50:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/obera.fr\/our-advice\/vlep-filtration-de-poussiere-reglementation\/"},"modified":"2025-05-07T09:26:39","modified_gmt":"2025-05-07T07:26:39","slug":"vlep-filtration-de-poussiere-reglementation","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/obera.fr\/en\/our-tips\/vlep-filtration-de-poussiere-reglementation\/","title":{"rendered":"Dust filtration and VLEP: a regulatory update"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p><strong>Dust is a particle<\/strong> smaller than 100 microns. Occupational exposure limit values<a href=\"https:\/\/obera.fr\/en\/our-tips\/reglementation-vlep-evaluation-risque-chimique-lieu-de-travail\/\" data-type=\"URL\" data-id=\"https:\/\/obera.fr\/conseils\/reglementation-vlep-evaluation-risque-chimique-lieu-de-travail\/\">(OELVs<\/a>) indicate the measures to be taken with regard to dust in the workplace. Dust and VLEP lead to air quality <strong>control <\/strong>. To help you, INRS provides information on prevention and protection against exposure to dust in the workplace.     <\/p>\n\n<p>Do you want to secure your <strong>professional activity <\/strong>and reduce health risks? We can provide you with reliable information. <\/p>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Dust definition and prevention<\/h2>\n\n<p><strong>Dusts are particles <\/strong>with a crystalline structure: a dust is round in shape, with angular contours and abrasive potential. All particles smaller than 100 microns (0.1 mm, PM 1, PM 2.5 and PM 10) belong to this category of hazardous agents. When the <strong>concentration of <\/strong>PM 2.5 (size 2.5 microns) is high,<strong>occupational exposure<\/strong> presents a cancer risk.  <\/p>\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Dust at work: the different types<\/h3>\n\n<p><strong>Employees <\/strong>know little about the risks of exposure in the workplace. Risk assessment, prevention and protection against the dangerous effects of dust on health are the responsibility of companies. There are two main types of <strong>dust<\/strong>:  <\/p>\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>inorganic dusts (industrial dusts).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full is-resized\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/obera.fr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/Sans-titre.jpg\" alt=\"Inorganic dust\" class=\"wp-image-14084\" width=\"275\" height=\"100\" srcset=\"https:\/\/obera.fr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/Sans-titre.jpg 550w, https:\/\/obera.fr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/Sans-titre-300x109.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 275px) 100vw, 275px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>organic dusts (textile and food industries).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full is-resized\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/obera.fr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/textile.jpg\" alt=\"organic dust\" class=\"wp-image-14088\" width=\"275\" height=\"100\" srcset=\"https:\/\/obera.fr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/textile.jpg 550w, https:\/\/obera.fr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/textile-300x109.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 275px) 100vw, 275px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The most dangerous dusts for health<\/h3>\n\n<p><strong>Dusts smaller than 10 microns<\/strong> (PM10) reach the alveolar cells of the lungs. Fine dusts pass directly into the bloodstream. Dusts smaller than PM1 are the most dangerous, presenting high CMR, carcinogenic and pathogenic risks. Diagnosis of air quality in the workplace is therefore essential. The finer the dust, the higher its <strong>concentration in the air <\/strong>, and the longer it remains in suspension (from 1 to 40 hours).    <\/p>\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full is-resized\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/obera.fr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/4-fraction-poussieres.jpg\" alt=\"Organism - Toxicity\" class=\"wp-image-1840\" width=\"375\" height=\"395\" srcset=\"https:\/\/obera.fr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/4-fraction-poussieres.jpg 500w, https:\/\/obera.fr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/4-fraction-poussieres-285x300.jpg 285w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 375px) 100vw, 375px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n<p>The finer the dust, the longer its settling time. For example, hair-sized particles (50\u00b5m) settle rapidly (around 6s per meter). They sediment close to their emission zone, or remain in suspension if air movement is sufficiently strong to prevent their sedimentation. In contrast, 0.1\u00b5m particles behave in a similar way to molecules. They move according to a Brownian (random) motion, remain in suspension and have no measurable settling velocity. They fall one meter in 20 days without disturbance. It&#8217;s easy to understand why, without forced movement (aeration, mechanical ventilation, central vacuuming, air purification), these finest and most dangerous particles never settle and remain in suspension.      <\/p>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Dust and VLEP: what the regulations say<\/h2>\n\n<p>How to interpret the relationship between <strong>dust and VLEP <\/strong>in the workplace? Consider that occupational dust comes from manufacturing processes, machinery movements or the handling of goods and products. The <strong>multiplicity of dust particles in suspension<\/strong> presents health risks. The law has created a <strong>classification of dusts<\/strong> by level of penetration into the body.   <\/p>\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Respirable particles and the working environment<\/h3>\n\n<p>The ratio of <strong>dust to VLEP<\/strong> produces different results depending on the size of the dust. Respirable particles are those with a diameter of less than 4 microns. As we have seen, the WHO lowers the threshold to 2.5 (PM 2.5), considering these particles to be <strong>the most dangerous<\/strong>. Permanent monitoring in the workspace is possible by<strong>installing a box<\/strong>, probe or air analyzer.   <\/p>\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Thoracic dust and penetration: what are the values?<\/h3>\n\n<p>The upper respiratory tract filters these <strong>so-called total dusts<\/strong>. Their size does not exceed 100 microns, and their <strong>thoracic fraction <\/strong>is less than 10 microns. They penetrate the lungs, can irritate the bronchial tubes and are a<strong> risk for asthma<\/strong>.  <\/p>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Dust and VLEP: 8-hour exposure limit value<\/h2>\n\n<p>The <strong>VLEP contraignant<\/strong> (concerns asbestos, wood, silica and carcinogenic ceramics) is a reference value for any deferred health risk from<strong> exposure<\/strong>. These tools are aimed at the world of work, and INRS uses them to draw up its health and safety guides.<strong> Official control of VLEP <\/strong>in the workplace is the responsibility of COFRAC.  <\/p>\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>Also read: What is an <a href=\"https:\/\/obera.fr\/en\/our-tips\/valeur-limite-exposition-professionnelle-ou-vlep\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"1999\">Occupational Exposure Limit or OEL<\/a>?<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Occupational exposure limit value (OEL) 8 hours<\/h3>\n\n<p>The French <strong>Labor Code<\/strong> defines the level of the 8-hour VLEP, under normal temperature conditions. The<strong> average concentration<\/strong> of total dust must be below the threshold of 10 mg\/m\u00b3 of air. The average concentration of <strong>respirable dust<\/strong> must remain below the ceiling of 5 mg\/m\u00b3 of air.  <\/p>\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>Also read: <a href=\"https:\/\/obera.fr\/en\/our-tips\/vlep-quels-risques-cas-de-non-respect-reglementation\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"1816\">What are the risks of not complying with VLEP?<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Dust and 8-hour VLEP: a few examples<\/h3>\n\n<p>Some <strong>particles have<\/strong> more harmful <strong>effects<\/strong> on health. The VLEP measurement is stricter: wood dust 1 mg\/m\u00b3, silica dust between 0.1 and 0.005 mg\/m\u00b3, flax dust 0.2 mg\/m\u00b3, asbestos 10 fibers\/cm\u00b3. If these limits are <strong>exceeded <\/strong>, the company must take protective and preventive measures.  <\/p>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Filtration and dedusting solutions are available<\/h2>\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full is-resized\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/obera.fr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/Traitements-des-polluants-VLEP.jpg\" alt=\"treatment of vlep pollutants\" class=\"wp-image-14091\" width=\"500\" height=\"100\" srcset=\"https:\/\/obera.fr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/Traitements-des-polluants-VLEP.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/obera.fr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/Traitements-des-polluants-VLEP-300x60.jpg 300w, https:\/\/obera.fr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/Traitements-des-polluants-VLEP-768x154.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n<p>Do you have a <strong>dust problem <\/strong>in your workshops? OBERA has been a specialist in air treatment and dust removal for 20 years. Rely on our expertise to protect your staff and your productivity. Fill in our <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/obera.fr\/en\/contact\/\" data-type=\"page\" data-id=\"124\">contact form<\/a><\/strong> to get answers to your questions.   <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Occupational exposure limit values (VLEP regulations) indicate the measures to be taken with regard to dust in the workplace. To help you, INRS provides information on prevention and protection against exposure to dust in the workplace.   <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":85296,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_seopress_robots_primary_cat":"none","_seopress_titles_title":"Dust filtration and VLEP: regulations in detail","_seopress_titles_desc":"Find out more about dust filtration regulations and their VLEP. Obera designs devices capable of complying with these VLEP. 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