Dust emission during cutting of polyurethane-impregnated bandages

The airborne dust generated when cutting splinting bandages represents a potential respiratory hazard, particularly to those who regularly remove casts with a power saw. Plaster of Paris (POP) dust is already classified by the Health and Safety Executive as a nuisance dust. This paper reports on a study to determine the nature, size and concentration of dust produced when cutting polyurethane (PU) impregnated bandages using a power saw. It has been shown that, under severe conditions PU bandages produce lower airborne dust concentrations than POP bandage but that all of the bandages tested produced particles small enough to reach the final divisions of the lung. It is therefore recommended that a dust extraction unit be used when cutting all types of bandage.