Editing Angle grinder (section)

== Safety and health ==
{{Main|Particulates#Health_effects}} {{seealso|Power_tool#Health_impact|Brain health and pollution}}
{{expand section|date=April 2024}}
[[File:Angle Grinder cutting a steel chain - Video.webm|thumb|thumbtime=0:09|upright|Video: An angle grinder is used for cutting through a steel chain, kept under tension by a second person to avoid impeding the wheel of the grinder. Large amounts of [[Particulates#Health_effects|potentially harmful particulates]] (metal dust) are being generated.)]]
[[File:Mechanical arm effects on portable grinder vibrations.webm|thumb|A video on vibration research done on pneumatic grinders]]

Use of angle grinder can emit a large amount of small respirable dust.<ref name=":0">{{Cite journal |last=Chen |first=Jihe |last2=Shi |first2=Xunxian |last3=Liu |first3=Shuo |last4=Wang |first4=Ming |last5=Wang |first5=Pei |last6=Jiang |first6=Zhongan |date=2023-11-01 |title=Performance optimization and experimental analysis of angle grinder with dust collection hood |url=https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0957582023008157 |journal=Process Safety and Environmental Protection |volume=179 |pages=228–240 |doi=10.1016/j.psep.2023.09.004 |issn=0957-5820|url-access=subscription }}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal |last=Healy |first=Catherine B. |last2=Coggins |first2=Marie A. |last3=Van Tongeren |first3=Martie |last4=MacCalman |first4=Laura |last5=McGowan |first5=Padraic |date=2014-11-01 |title=An Evaluation of On-Tool Shrouds for Controlling Respirable Crystalline Silica in Restoration Stone Work |url=https://academic.oup.com/annweh/article-abstract/58/9/1155/244914 |journal=The Annals of Occupational Hygiene |volume=58 |issue=9 |pages=1155–1167 |doi=10.1093/annhyg/meu069 |issn=0003-4878|url-access=subscription }}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal |last=Weller |first=Michael |last2=Clemence |first2=Dennis |last3=Lau |first3=Abe |last4=Rawlings |first4=Mark |last5=Robertson |first5=Amy |last6=Sankaran |first6=Bhoopathy |date=2024-03-01 |title=An assessment of worker exposure to respirable dust and crystalline silica in workshops fabricating engineered stone |url=https://academic.oup.com/annweh/article/68/2/170/7473352 |journal=Annals of Work Exposures and Health |volume=68 |issue=2 |pages=170–179 |doi=10.1093/annweh/wxad072 |issn=2398-7308|url-access=subscription }}</ref> Excessive dust emission is regulated by air pollution laws and violation can result in fines. Proper use of well-designed [[Dust collector|dust collectors]] (e.g. [[Dust collection hood|dust collection hoods]]) can reduce dust concentration significantly (up to 80-90%).<ref name=":0" /> 

The disc type (fibre disc or grinding wheel) affects the dust's size distribution. The dust emitted can be as small as PM1.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Comparison of dust emissions when using various 3M fibre discs and grinding wheels |url=https://multimedia.3m.com/mws/media/1379719O/vito-report-dust-emissions-cubitron-ii-fibre-dcgw-en-version.pdf}}</ref>

The use of an angle grinder in cutting is not preferred, because large amounts of harmful sparks, fumes and [[particulates]] are generated when compared with using [[reciprocating saw]] or [[band saw]].<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XMXa1QImM54 | title=What's the Best Way to Cut Thick Steel?| website=[[YouTube]]| date=7 August 2021}}</ref> Angle grinders produce [[sparks (fire)|sparks]] when cutting ferrous metals. They also produce [[sherd|shards]] when cutting other materials. The blades themselves may break, which is a hazard to the face and eyes especially, as well as other parts of the body. Consequently, a full face shield and other protective clothing must be worn. Angle grinders should never be used without their guard or handle attached. All [[workpiece]]s should be securely clamped or held firmly in a vise.<ref>[https://www.safework.sa.gov.au/workplaces/plant-tools-and-vehicles/angle-grinders Risk Control]</ref> In a sound pressure level and vibration study conducted by the US [[National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health]], grinders under an unloaded condition created noise which ranged from 91 to 103 [[A-weighting|dBA]].<ref name="multiples">National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Division of Applied Research and Technology (DART), ''Hand-held Power Tools Sound Pressure and Vibrations Database'', 2009</ref>