Report Shows Number of Grain Dust Explosions Dipped in 2021

Grain handling and processing facilities in the United States experienced fewer dust bin explosions in 2021 compared to the previous year, according to Purdue University’s annual report on grain dust explosion incidents in the country. Associate professor of agricultural and biological engineering Kingsly Ambrose, the author of the report, found that seven blasts occurred in 2021 compared to eight in 2020.

One person died and five were injured in grain dust explosions last year. Incidents were logged at one feed mill, an ethanol plant, a grain mill, and four grain elevators across six states, the document states. Grain dust was identified as the fuel source in five out of seven cases, with the remaining two explosions involving unknown fuel.

“Grain dust acts as a fuel for these explosions, and all it takes is a small spark for ignition to occur,” Ambrose said in a release Monday. “Controlling grain dust can significantly reduce the possibility and severity of explosions. Simple and effective housekeeping is the first line of defense.”

Ambrose stressed that properly maintaining equipment and ensuring it is in proper working order, as well as properly training workers, play an important role in reducing risks of dust explosions.