Introduction. Dust is one of the basic hazards occurring in the occupational environment. The objective of the study was sanitary-hygienic evaluation of dustiness in the working environment in selected enterprises directly associated with agricultural production and food processing.

Materials and Methods. The studies were conducted during the period 2000-2004 in the area of the Sub-Carpathian Region, and covered 3 farms, 1 dairy, 1 mill, 9 bakeries and a cake factory. Dustiness was investigated at 53 workplaces. The concentration of dust in the air was determined by evaluating the level of total and respirable dust. The results were subjected to statistical analyses by means of Tukey’s and Fisher’s tests.

Results. The highest values for total dust were noted on farms at 3 workplaces of an individual farmer: 31.2 mg/ m3; 31.8 mg/m3; 25.7 mg/m3, which exceeded the standard (MAC): 7.8; 7.9; and 6.4 times respectively, and in one bakery at the workplace of a table baker (MAC was exceeded 1.5 times). Respirable dust did not exceed the hygienic standard at any of the workplaces in the study. For the total number of workplaces the percentage of values exceeding the allowable standard for dust concentration was 7.5%, this percentage being the highest at workplaces located on farms - 42.8%.

Discussion and conclusion. A statistically higher total dust concentration was noted on farms, compared to other enterprises. This suggests the need for intensification of the monitoring of farmers’ working environment from the aspect of exposure to hazardous factors, and for carrying out education in the area of occupational hygiene for this population.