Does a Dust Collector clean the air?

Last updated on November 18th, 2022 at 11:22 am

A dust collection system removes particulate contaminants from the air in production facilities, workshops, and industrial complexes. The system cleans the air by forcing it through airtight filters. When the air is clean, it is forced outside or recirculated. That is after it has achieved the proper emission standards. See our review of top dust collectors. 

What does a dust collector do?

A dust collector is about safety. As much as it keeps your workplace clean, it is all about keeping the user safe from dust-related diseases. These can be more deadly than expected, and they can be long-term or short-term. 

The air has dirt, dust, debris, chemicals, or gasses. These affect the lungs of anyone who breathes this air. The particulate sometimes collects on or near equipment, creating a fire hazard. When you have a dust collector, it gets rid of the contaminants from the air. The air becomes clean, and that is how safety comes in the workspace.

A dust collector increases productivity The moment your machine has dust and debris, it becomes slow, minimizing productivity. Dirt, dust, and debris make their way inside your equipment, thereby compromising the mechanics of the equipment. 

That leads to slower machines and broken equipment. That is how your wood machine is compromised, and eventually, it needs maintenance and repair. Dust collectors remove this risk, allowing optimal performance from your machinery.

It creates a better product quality. As the dust fills in the air, the dust collector collects on products throughout the manufacturing process, which negatively impacts the quality of the finished product. 

Dust collectors do not stop the production of dust but reduce the dust, smoke, and fumes in the air. That keeps those away from finished products, thus improving their quality and increasing customer satisfaction.

It also helps you meet compliance regulations.

After setting up your workspace, you still have rules and regulations to follow from the ministry. They have certain expectations and standards to be observed, and these are associated with the environment and the quality of the air. 

Poor air quality is costly, not just in fines, but by creating a potential danger to your factory or affecting your employees. Factory dust collectors help you comply with governmental regulations, keeping everyone and the machinery inside the building safe.

The dust collecting machine keeps your employees safe. Prioritizing your workers’ health is one thing that keeps them happy and healthy. When the air quality is poor, employees suffer and do not enjoy the workplace. The absence of a dust collector drives away your workers since that makes them unhappy. 

Unsatisfied employees do not work well, and high employee turnover is costly. Keeping the air clean and healthy with a factory dust collector improves the morale of your employees and you to retain great.

Does a dust collector clean the air?

Dust collectors improve air quality. Like air purifiers, dust collection systems also suck in air and clean it through multiple filters and other technologies. The difference is that dust collectors are attached directly to the source of the dust. A combination of a dust collector and an air cleaner gives you clean, healthy air in any working condition.

Air purifiers complement a dust collector to increase effectiveness and performance. However, if you work in a location with high levels, a standard air purifier does not give a better air-cleaning performance. Sometimes it becomes overloaded with particles in the filter cartridge, leading to clogs and issues with airflow.

A dust collector is a system that enhances the quality of air released from industrial and commercial processes by collecting dust and other impurities from air or gas (Source). It comes with a blower, dust filter, a filter-cleaning system, and a dust receptacle. 

A dust collector removes all but .01 micron particles

Using a dust collector with the 0.00001-micron filter to extract an atom from the airstream yields better air cleaning. Connect all your machines and seal every joint in every connection. 

Do not forget to ground it against static build-up. Turn on the dust collector as you cut any piece of wood. Eventually, the air is filled with microscopic dust particles. Standard collectors filter a high percentage of 2 to 2.5 microns, but you can still have one that filters 86% of 1-micron dust particles. I

It separates dust particles from wood chips for more efficient debris packing and a clog-free filter. Even if you buy a machine without a 1-micron filter that delivers, you can still have one fitted for more surface area and better filtration.

Dust collectors collect airborne sawdust.

Treated sawdust contains chemicals that can become airborne, and your dust collector gets rid of it. A dust collector also collects airborne particulates and dust, although different from a vacuum system. The dust collector can be wide or a portable unit. 

What they collect

Clean air comes with numerous benefits. As the name implies, dust collectors collect dust particles, and it filters, separate, and capture dust and releases sanitized air. It also removes debris, gases, and chemicals from the air, giving your factory cleaner air.

The dust particles come in different categories. They are separated by size and start from 1 µm (micrometer) to 100 µm. Sometimes it becomes airborne, depending on the origin and physical characteristics.

Types of dust

L Class Dust (Low Risk)

L Class dust is the lowest toxic dust made of house dust, soil, general construction dust/waste, softwoods, and solid surface material. Look for a dust extractor that catches 99% of the dust. The dust collector should include a Filter Leakage of less than 1% of the collected dust.

M Class Dust (Medium Risk)

Dust in the M classification is hardwoods like oak and beech, and these are medium-risk soils that pose a medium degree of risk to human health. That means you need a dust extractor that catches 99.9% of the dust, and there should be a Filter Leakage no greater than 0.1% of the collected dust.

H Class Dust (High Risk)    

The H class represents high toxicity dust containing pathogenic or carcinogenic particles. It includes asbestos, mold spores, bitumen, mineral fibers, and artificial mineral fibers. They pose a high degree of risk to human health, and you need a dust extractor that catches 99.995% of the dust, and it should come with a Filter Leakage no greater than 0.005% of the collected dust.

What they don’t collect

• Explosive dust 
• Solvent fumes
• Papers.