Aim of this paper was to investigate the effects of grit size and wood species on mass concentration and size distribution of wood dust produced by hand-held belt sander. Experimental study was designed as 2x2 full factorial experiments. Experimental parameters and their levels were abrasive grain size (P80, P120) and wood species (European beech (Fagus sylvatica L.), Norway spruce (Picea abies)).The mass concentration of emitted wood dust was measured using aerosol monitor (TSI Inc., DustTrak DRX 8533). Sampler head was sited in place representing breathing zone of operator of sander. The results was analysed employing the analysis of variance (ANOVA) with 5% of significance level. Real-time measurements demonstrated that spruce wood generated higher dust concentrations than beech wood due to difference in abrasion durability. Compared to sanding belt with P80 grit size, approximately 16%-32% higher dust concentration was generated when the sanding belt with P120 grit size was used.

Sanding with handheld powered tools has been recognized as one of the most significant factor in personal exposure to wood dust in the woodworking industry. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of wood species and grain size of abrasive on wood removal and mass concentration of wood dust emitted by a random orbit sander. Experimental study was designed as 4x4 full factorial experiments. The mass concentration of emitted wood dust was measured using aerosol monitor DustTrak DRX 8533. The results of this study confirm that softwood species generated higher dust concentrations than hardwood species due to difference in abrasion durability. Compared to sanding disc with P40 grit size, approximately 48% higher dust concentration was generated when the sanding disc with P240 grit size was used.

The aim of this research was to investigate the effects of various temperatures of thermal treatment of red meranti (Shorea accuminata) wood on mass concentration and size distribution of wood dust produced by a hand-held belt sander. The experiment was conducted during the sanding of the meranti wood in the natural state and using specimens that were heat-treated via the ThermoWood® technology at the temperatures of 160 °C, 180 °C, 200 °C, and 220 °C. An analysis of variance was used to measure the significance of the effects. Average values of the inhalable and respirable fractions of wood dust mass concentration determined via the optical and gravimetric method was highest at the treatment temperature of 160 °C. The results showed that mass concentration was not significantly influenced by thermal treatment.