Is it a good idea to use compressed air to blow dirt off clothing or work surfaces?
No. Although many people know using compressed air to clean debris or clothes can be hazardous, it is still used because of old habits and the easy availability of compressed air in many workplaces. However, cleaning objects, machinery, bench tops, clothing and other things with compressed air is dangerous. Injuries can be caused by the air jet and by particles made airborne.
What are the hazards of using compressed air?
First, compressed air is extremely forceful. Depending on its pressure, compressed air can dislodge particles. These particles are a danger since they can enter your eyes or abrade skin. The possible damage would depend on the size, weight, shape, composition, and speed of the particles. There have also been reports of hearing damage caused by the pressure of compressed air and by its sound.
Second, compressed air itself is also a serious hazard. On rare occasions, some of the compressed air can enter the blood stream through a break in the skin or through a body opening. An air bubble in the blood stream is known medically as an embolism, a dangerous medical condition in which a blood vessel is blocked, in this case, by an air bubble. An embolism of an artery can cause coma, paralysis or death depending upon its size, duration and location. While air embolisms are usually associated with incorrect diving procedures, they are possible with compressed air due to high pressures. While this seems improbable, the consequences of even a small quantity of air or other gas in the blood can quickly be fatal.
Unfortunately, horseplay has been a cause of some serious workplace accidents caused by individuals not aware of the hazards of compressed air, or proper work procedures.
What should I use instead of compressed air for cleaning purposes?
A brush or a vacuum cleaner should be used instead.
If I have to use compressed air for cleaning, how can I do it safely?
The minimum air pressure that is still effective should be used. A "quiet" nozzle (i.e. one with low noise emission) should be selected. The nozzle pressure must remain below 30 psi (207 kPa) and personal protection equipment (PPE) must be worn to protect the worker's body, especially the eyes, against particles and dust under pressure. Air guns should also be used with some local exhaust ventilation or facilities to control the generation of airborne particulates. When compressed air cleaning is unavoidable, hazards can be reduced by making adjustments to the air gun such as:
- chip guards that can deflect flying dust or debris,
- extension tubes that provide the worker a safer working distance, or
- air guns equipped with injection exhausts and particle collection bags.
