What is described as dust that is relatively harmless to the lungs?

Nuisance dust refers to particulate matter that can be present in the air and is typically considered relatively harmless to the lungs at low concentrations. This type of dust does not pose a significant health risk under normal exposure conditions, although it may cause discomfort or irritation in some cases, such as when it leads to coughing or minor respiratory discomfort.

In contrast to nuisance dust, other types of dust, such as hazardous dust, respiratory dust, and toxic dust, are associated with more serious health risks. Hazardous dust can contain harmful substances that could lead to significant health issues upon inhalation. Respiratory dust usually refers to particles that are small enough to penetrate deeply into the respiratory system and can cause serious health effects. Toxic dust specifically implies that it contains chemicals or substances that can be harmful or lethal. Thus, the distinction made for nuisance dust is crucial as it highlights the importance of understanding the varying impacts of different types of dust on health.