August 13, 2001

Clean Grain Bins are Essential To a Quality Crop

Dumping high quality grain from this year’s harvest on top of the left overs from last year’s crop is asking for trouble, according to specialists at North Dakota State University.

Producing a quality grain crop does not end with at harvest. It includes quality storage until the crop is marketed. "If you see signs of last year’s crop in the bin, then it isn’t clean enough for this year’s crop," says Phil Glogoza, entomologist with the NDSU Extension Service. "If bins are not thoroughly cleaned of last year’s crop, the insects will be there to feed on this year’s grain."

Glogoza says a through cleaning of grain bins should be an annual routine for grain farmers.

That annual task can pose a health risk for the workers involved, notes George Maher NDSU extension agricultural safety specialist. "Breathing moldy grain dust is not healthy," he says Those workers cleaning bins should wear a two-strap dust mask or a cartridge respirator depending on conditions in the bin.

When healthy individuals inhale dust from moldy grain, flu-like symptoms may develop and they can be severe, Maher notes. The previous year’s crop is likely to leave grain dust that is very risky to inhale. Each time an individual is exposed to grain dust, more symptoms and reactions will occur.

"Any worker with respiratory problems such as asthma or certain allergies will need to consider using a dust/mist respirator to reduce the risk of respiratory and health problems resulting from organic dust and mold spores," Maher advises.

Treating bins with pesticides for insect control poses an additional health threat, he notes. A National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health/Mine Safety and Health Administration (NIOSH/MSHA) approved respirator should be used with pesticides used to prepare a bin for the new crop. The pesticide label will provide instructions about the respiratory protection required.

"A cartridge respirator provides essential protection for many hazardous jobs on the farm," Maher says. "Be certain that it is in good condition and fits correctly." The respirator should have a NIOSH/MSHA approval. An approved dust/mist respirator will have the "TC" prefix on the NIOSH number.

"A respirator is cheap prevention when compared to the possible medical costs resulting from using no protection," Maher says. Prices for good quality respirators start at less than $50. Refill cartridges cost between $5 and $15 depending on the type of protection needed. Maher advises purchasing several cartridges because they have a limited service life, and having a spare will make it easier to use the respirator when it’s needed.

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Sources: George Maher, (701) 231-8288, gmaher@ndsuext.nodak.edu
Phil Glogoza, (701) 231-7581, pglogoza@ndsuext.nodak.edu
Editor: Tom Jirik, (701) 231-9629, tjirik@ndsuext.nodak.edu

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