Metal finishing Q&As since 1989

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Safety Issues with Inhaling Dust from Laser Engraving Anodized Aluminum Parts

Hello all. I work in a small company in Connecticut, and we engineer, manufacture, and assemble small devices for various contractors. A few components in these devices are anodized with black anodizer per MIL-A-8625F, Type II, Class II. One of these anodized parts is laser engraved, 16 at a time, with a bar code and a few numbers/codes. The laser engraver actually burns into each of these pieces very rapidly behind a shut door. Upon completion of engraving, the door is opened, and a strong odor is observed each and every time. Additionally, small amounts of black dust slowly accumulate on the floor of the laser engraver over time.

Are there any known safety issues with inhaling these types of odors/particles? Could the particles in the air be so small as to raise concern in terms of damage to my lungs/internal organs? So far, I have been avoiding inhaling near the machine while the odors are present. I think this may be an adequate, if inconvenient temporary solution. Perhaps a ventilation solution would better suit this problem. Then again, these fumes may not be dangerous at all. What are your thoughts? Thanks in advance.

Chris Slavin
Laser Engraver - Ridgefield, Connecticut, USA
October 28, 2009

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Hi, Chris. Aluminum is not currently considered a toxic material and, as you may know, is used in deodorants, antacids, water treatment, pots and pans, etc.

That being said, inhaling dusts and fumes of anything is a bad idea. Coal and glass are not toxic materials either but black lung and silicosis are serious diseases. Your lungs are supposed to have air in them, not particles of anything. And whatever you are smelling is not a food product or a natural fragrance.

I think you should ask your plant engineer to, either through independent testing or conferring with the machine builder, find out what the dust is and what the smell is, and decide whether ventilation or the wearing of respirators is appropriate.

Regards,

Ted Mooney, P.E.
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey
November 6, 2009