Kipsipöly

Kipsipöly, Finnish for plaster dust, refers to a fine airborne powder that is produced when gypsum plaster or plaster-based products are cut, sanded, drilled, or mixed. It mainly consists of calcium sulfate dihydrate particles and may include additives used in plaster formulations. The dust can become airborne in quantities that pose a health risk during construction or renovation work.

Kipsipöly is generated during common activities such as sawing plasterboard, sanding patched areas, drilling into walls, or mixing plaster compounds. The size of the particles can vary, and a respirable fraction may reach the lungs if proper controls are not in place. The exact composition depends on the material being worked with, and some plaster products may contain other minerals or binders.

Exposure to kipsipöly can irritate the eyes, nose, and throat, causing coughing, sneezing, and shortness of breath. While gypsum dust is generally less hazardous than silica dust, high or prolonged exposure can contribute to respiratory irritation or aggravate preexisting conditions such as asthma. In some cases, plaster products may contain crystalline silica or asbestos-containing materials, particularly in older buildings, which pose greater health risks and require specific safety measures and testing.

Prevention and safe handling include using effective local exhaust ventilation or wet methods to minimize dust, performing work in well-ventilated areas, and wearing appropriate PPE such as respirators with suitable filters, safety goggles, and protective clothing. Materials should be cleaned with a vacuum equipped with a high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter, not dry-broomed. In waste handling, kipsipöly is generally treated as non-hazardous construction waste, but local regulations apply, especially for large quantities or suspected asbestos-containing materials.